BREAKING: Spain's High Court summons Catalan leader amid rebellion charges

SPAIN'S High Court has called Catalan President Carles Puigdemont to testify later this week. The disposed leader is currently in Brussels and has consulted with a lawyer there. Earlier today Mr Puigdemont warned EU leaders they are facing the “end of the idea of Europe” if they fail to take action over Spain’s “violent and oppressive” response to its independence referendum. The court called for Mr Puigdemont along with 13 other members of his deposed administration to testify on Thursday at 9am (local time). Spain’s Attorney General Jose Manuel Maza filed a lawsuit against Mr Puigdemont on Monday, citing the crimes of rebellion, sedition and embezzlement and the Catalan President faces up to 30 years in prison.

According to Spanish law, rebellion charges may apply to those who “violently and publicly” try to “abrogate, suspend or modify the Constitution, either totally or partially,” or “declare the independence of part of the national territory”. The crime of rebellion carries jail sentences of up to 30 years. Mr Maza said: “The Finance Ministry, in order to promote justice, is liable for crimes of rebellion, sedition and embezzlement crimes against those responsible for the parliament. The Prosecutor’s Office will continue to exercise its functions with impartiality.”

Mr Puigdemont recently travelled to Brussels in a bid to make the European Union (EU) leaders aware of the full extent of the crisis in the north east region of Spain and what he described as the “aggressive” behaviour of the Madrid administration after the fledgling country attempted to breakaway from Spain despite moves to prevent it from doing so. Mr Puigdemont recently travelled to Brussels in a bid to make the European Union (EU) leaders aware of the full extent of the crisis in the north east region of Spain and what he described as the “aggressive” behaviour of the Madrid administration after the fledgling country attempted to breakaway from Spain despite moves to prevent it from doing so. The leader said during a press conference in Brussels that Catalonia would not accept the imposition of Article 155, which allows Madrid to take full control of the semi-autonomous region, saying that it would “destroy” the region.

He added that ministers are working to make it impossible for Madrid to "dismantle Catalan institutions." He railed against the "aggression and violence against millions of people who exercised their right to vote" in a scathing attack on Spain in front of journalists today. He said "we've seen a very aggressive offensive against the Catalans". He added the priority is no violence, saying: "You can't build a republic upon violence. "Peace and dialogue are our priority." He said the charges against him, of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds, are an example of the "extreme opression" from Madrid.