The spokesperson for Switzerland's Federal Office of Justice, Folco Galli, has denied any possibility that Catalan president Carles Puigdemont could be arrested or extradited during his visit to the country.
Asked whether Swiss police could act against Puigdemont if there were to be an improvised request from Spain on the subject, the spokesperson replied with the same argument he gave when asked about former CUP deputy Anna Gabriel's presence in the country: "Any extradition for political crimes is excluded. The situation hasn't changed and, as such, there's no legal basis for an arrest in Switzerland".
Galli added that any petition from Spain would have to be "examined closely", suggesting it wouldn't be automatic.
Spain suspended a European Arrest Warrant against Puigdemont last December whilst the Belgian Justice system was processing it. In the case of Switzerland, which is not part of the EU, they would also have to activate Interpol mechanisms.
The Spanish public prosecution service has today asked Interpol and other relevant authorities to study whether Puigdemont can be arrested and whether they can apply for his extradition or withdraw his passport.