Spain latest: Belgium ‘COULD grant axed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont political asylum’

Theo Francken said it would be “not unrealistic” for Belgium to offer ousted Mr Puigdemont political asylum if he asks for it. 

However, there has been no indication yet that Mr Puigdemont has requested asylum in Belgium. 

The ousted Catalan leader has released only a pre-recorded video message in the wake of Madrid imposing direct rule on the region. 

It is unclear where he is or if his family are with him. Spain’s attorney general has said if Mr Puigdemont is charged with rebellion he could be jailed for 30 years. 

Belgium is one of the few members of the European Union (EU) where citizens can ask for political asylum. 

Spain is grappling with the worst constitutional crisis in its contemporary history after an unlawful Catalan independence referendum on October 1, that was considered illegal by the Spanish government. 

Mr Francken said: “It is not unrealistic if you look at the situation.

“They are already talking about a prison sentence.

“The question is to what extent he would get a fair trial.”

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has called for dialogue between Madrid and Barcelona to resolve the crisis. 

Roughly the size of Belgium, the region of Catalonia with its 7.5 million people accounts for around 16 per cent of Spain’s population, a fifth of its economic output and attracts more tourists than anywhere else in the country. 

Catalonia’s biggest city Barcelona is preparing for a new day of protests following the independence declaration on Friday. 

Mr Puigdemont has called for democratic and peaceful opposition to the Spanish government’s direct rule of the region. 

There are fears across Europe that Catalonia’s quest for independence from Spain could spark a domino effect, which would plunge the European Union into crisis. 

The region is not alone in its hope for independence and the aftershocks of the Catalonia crisis could further splinter the EU with dozens of regions hoping to return to autonomy and fighting their own battle to regain control.