MADRID (AP) – Ousted Catalan government members and lawmakers are beginning to appear before Spanish courts in Madrid to face possible charges of rebellion for having declared the region’s independence.
Twenty regional politicians, including sacked regional government president Carles Puigdemont, were called to appear Thursday after the chief prosecutor demanded charges of rebellion, sedition and embezzlement be pressed.
Puigdemont, who is in Belgium with four of his ex-Cabinet members, said he will ignore the summons, which could trigger a warrant for his arrest and an extradition petition.
Fired Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras, center, arrives at the national court in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Some of the 14-member ousted Catalan cabinet were expected to appear before a judge in Madrid on Thursday for questioning as part of a rebellion probe for pushing ahead with a declaration of independence from Spain. (AP Photo/Paul White)
The group summoned includes his 13-member former Cabinet and six parliamentary board members.
Puigdemont’s No. 2, Oriol Junqueras, was the first to arrive at the National Court.
The crimes being probed are punishable with up to 30 years in prison under Spanish law.
Fired Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras arrives at the national court in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Some of the 14-member ousted Catalan cabinet were expected to appear before a judge in Madrid on Thursday for questioning as part of a rebellion probe for pushing ahead with a declaration of independence from Spain. (AP Photo/Paul White)
Fired Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras, right, arrives at the national court in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Some of the 14-member ousted Catalan cabinet were expected to appear before a judge in Madrid on Thursday for questioning as part of a rebellion probe for pushing ahead with a declaration of independence from Spain. (AP Photo/Paul White)
Fired Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras arrives at the national court in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Some of the 14-member ousted Catalan cabinet were expected to appear before a judge in Madrid on Thursday for questioning as part of a rebellion probe for pushing ahead with a declaration of independence from Spain. (AP Photo/Paul White)
Police officers check a manhole outside the national court in Madrid, Spain, early morning Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Some of the 14-member ousted Catalan cabinet were expected to appear before a judge in Madrid on Thursday for questioning as part of a rebellion probe for pushing ahead with a declaration of independence from Spain. (AP Photo/Paul White)
Fired Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras, right, arrives at the national court in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Some of the 14-member ousted Catalan cabinet were expected to appear before a judge in Madrid on Thursday for questioning as part of a rebellion probe for pushing ahead with a declaration of independence from Spain. (AP Photo/Paul White)
Spanish police vans arrive at the national court in Madrid, Spain, early morning Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Some of the 14-member ousted Catalan cabinet were expected to appear before a judge in Madrid on Thursday for questioning as part of a rebellion probe for pushing ahead with a declaration of independence from Spain. (AP Photo/Paul White)
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