The rebellion, sedition and embezzlement charges carry maximum sentences of 30, 15 and six years in prison, respectively. Mr Maza didn't name any of those facing charges, but they include regional leader Carles Puigdemont, his No.2 Oriol Junqueras and Catalan parliamentary speaker Carme Forcadell. Mr Puigdemont travelled to Brussels, according to a Spanish government an official who requested anonymity because he wasn't authorised to be named in media reports. The trip came after Belgian Asylum State Secretary Theo Francken said over the weekend that it would be "not unrealistic'' for Mr Puigdemont to request asylum. At least one portrait of Mr Puigdemont was still hanging on a wall inside the Catalan government's Generalitat building.

Source: Bangkok Post October 30, 2017 13:52 UTC