Former Catalan leader: 'I did not seek asylum'

The former Catalan leader has not sought political asylum in Belgium but will not return to Spain until his safety is guaranteed.

Mr. Carles Puigdemont at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium. Photo: AP

"I am not here to offer political asylum,"Telegraph"I am in Brussels, the capital of Europe. I am here to act freely and safely," Carles Puigdemont said at a press conference in Brussels today, surrounded by former officials of his dissolved government.

GrandfatherPuigdemont dodged reporters' questions about whether he would return to Spain, where he could face charges of rebellion and sedition, which could carry a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

When pressed on when he would return to Barcelona,"We are looking for guarantees from Madrid. Whether we return to Catalonia or not will depend on this. We are not avoiding the rule of law and we will not shirk our responsibilities, but we need guarantees," Puigdemont said.

The former Catalan leader also accused the Spanish government of being responsible for the violence, causing "chaos" by blocking the illegal secession referendum on October 1.

Mr Puigdemont is consulting with lawyers in Brussels about his position, after the Spanish government triggered Article 155 of the constitution to bring Catalonia back under central government control.

This is the first timePuigdemont has spoken publicly since being ousted. Spain took direct control of the wealthy northeastern region of Catalonia last weekend after Mr Puigdemont led the local government to declare a new republic. The Spanish government immediately ousted him and his cabinet, dissolved the regional parliament and called for early elections.

According to VNE