Schleswig-Holstein prosecutors have this morning formally presented their request for the extradition of the Catalan president-in-exile, Carles Puigdemont. The court is now expected to ask Puigdemont's defence to present its arguments before reaching its final decision.
Prosecutors had, coincidentally, not submitted their request until the day of the motion of no-confidence in Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy and the possible start of a new era in Spain. They have asked the court to declare the president's extradition permissible and, as normal in the case, followed the lead of their Spanish colleagues. Indeed, they include both the charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds.
On 5th April, following the president's arrest, the court declared the charge of rebellion "inadmissible". It also indicated there was not yet sufficient evidence to support the charge of misuse of public funds.
The extradition application includes the new information provided by Spanish authorities, including videos of the 1st October referendum, and says that, in their opinion, it supports the charge of rebellion and also one of serious disturbance to public order. They also maintain the accusations of misuse of public funds in the organisation of last year's referendum.
This time, prosecutors haven't asked for Puigdemont to be taken into custody, as they had in their original filing, a request rejected by the court.
Below is the press statement from prosecutors: