LONG ARM OF THE LAW

German Police Arrest Ex-Catalan Separatist Leader Carles Puigdemont

The arrest has triggered violent protests in Barcelona.

German police have arrested Catalonia’s former separatist leader, Carles Puigdemont, on a European arrest warrant issued by Spain. Authorities in Germany said Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium last year, was taken into custody while crossing the border with Denmark by car. News of his arrest sent Catalan supporters into the streets of Barcelona on Sunday, where they reportedly clashed with police as they tried to approach the Spanish government's office in Catalonia. Puigdemont was detained just two days after Spain’s Supreme Court vowed to prosecute 13 Catalan separatists over a failed breakaway bid that led to violent riots following a contested independence referendum last fall. Spanish authorities have accused Puigdemont of sedition, misuse of funds, and rebellion, and he faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted on the charges.