The court said the formal requirements to detain Puigdemont had been met by a European arrest warrant issued by Spain. Guentge said it isn't clear whether a decision on the extradition request will happen this week and in the meantime Puigdemont will remain at the prison in Neumuenster. The international arrest warrant for Puigdemont was reactivated on Friday, while he was visiting Finland. Authorities examining a European arrest warrant must determine whether the offense a suspect is accused of committing is equivalent to a criminal offense in the country where he was arrested. Puigdemont's Belgian lawyer, Paul Bekaert, argued on VRT television that there was "flagrant abuse by Spain of the European arrest warrant for political purpose, which is totally illegal."

Source: ABC News March 26, 2018 07:37 UTC