The detention of Carles Puigdemont in Germany opened a fresh chapter of confrontation over the Catalan independence drive on Monday, as galvanised secessionists renewed their bid to return the ousted leader to the presidency. Even as Mr Puigdemont was remanded to a German prison, independence parties called for an urgent parliamentary session to push through a reform allowing for his long-distance inauguration, in defiance of a ban on such a move from Spain’s Constitutional Court. Mr Puigdemont yesterday appeared in court in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, where he was detained by police shortly before midday Sunday and later sent to Neumünster prison. The judge ruled he must remain in custody while Spain’s extradition request is considered by the courts - a process which must be completed within 60 days. Debate meanwhile raged at home and across Europe over Spain’s crackdown on independence leaders, which saw 13 formally charged with … [Read more...] about Catalan leader’s detention in German prison leads to fresh calls for independence from Spain
Spain
Malware Mastermind Who Rigged ATMs to Spew Cash Caught in Spain
By March 26, 2018, 7:51 AM EDT The mastermind behind malware attacks that programmed ATMs to spit out cash on demand and caused more than 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) of losses, has been arrested in Spain.The leader of a criminal gang that carried out the malware attacks known as Carbanak and Cobalt was detained in Alicante following an investigation by Spanish police, Europol and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Europol, the European Union agency for law enforcement cooperation, did not name the suspect in a statement on Monday. Romanian, Belarussian and Taiwanese authorities also took part in the manhunt.The organized crime group has been operating since 2013, targeting over 100 financial institutions around the world in heists of as much as 10 million euros per operation. The malware they created could instruct ATMs to dispense cash at a pre-determined time, with gang members waiting by the machines collecting the money.They also used the e-payment network to … [Read more...] about Malware Mastermind Who Rigged ATMs to Spew Cash Caught in Spain
Puigdemont to appear in German court to decide on extradition to Spain
Former and fugitive Catalan president Carles Puigdemont is due to appear before German judges at the prosecutor’s office on Monday to decide if he will be retained in police custody, or if he remains on probation before being returned to Spain. Puigdemont was detained in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein on Sunday, five months after going into self-imposed exile from Spain, where he faces charges of sedition, rebellion and embezzlement which could lead to 25 years in prison. Puigdemont had entered Germany from Denmark after on Friday leaving Finland, where he had attended a conference. Another German court, the Higher Regional Court in the town of Schleswig, will be responsible for deciding whether to grant Spain’s extradition request. German prosecutors have said the whole legal process, including possible appeals, could take several days if not weeks. If convicted Mr Puigdemont faces up to 25 years in prison in Spain on charges of rebellion … [Read more...] about Puigdemont to appear in German court to decide on extradition to Spain
Eurogroup Statement on the updated Draft Budgetary Plans for 2017 of Spain and Lithuania
Author: European Council. The following press release was issued by the European Council on January 26, 2017 19:30. Today, the Eurogroup discussed the 9 December update of the Draft Budgetary Plan (DBP) of Spain and the 15 December update of the DBP of Lithuania, based on the Commission Opinions of 17 January. We welcome the fact that these two Member States submitted full DBPs as requested in the Eurogroup statement of 5 December 2016. We agree with the Commission Opinion that the budget of Spain is broadly compliant with the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP). We invite Spain to ensure compliance with these provisions within the national budgetary processes and welcome Spain’s commitment to take any measures, if necessary. We agree with the Commission Opinion that the budget of Lithuania is at risk of non-compliance with the requirements of the SGP. The Commission’s 17 January Opinion largely confirms its November assessment. The Eurogroup also … [Read more...] about Eurogroup Statement on the updated Draft Budgetary Plans for 2017 of Spain and Lithuania
The man who wants to break up Spain
Europe By Patrick Jackson BBC News, Girona 26 March 2018 Share this with Facebook Share this with Twitter Share this with Messenger Share this with Messenger Share this with Email Share Share this with These are external links and will open in a new window Email Share this with Email Facebook Share this with Facebook Messenger Share this with Messenger Messenger Share this with Messenger Twitter Share this with Twitter Pinterest Share this with Pinterest WhatsApp Share this with WhatsApp LinkedIn Share this with LinkedIn Copy this link http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41508660 Read more about sharing. These are external links and will open in a new window Close share panel Related TopicsCatalonia independence vote 2017 Catalonia's sacked President Carles Puigdemont has spearheaded the region's peaceful drive for independence from Spain. In defiance of … [Read more...] about The man who wants to break up Spain