French government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye has told Perpinyà newspaper L'indépendant that the French authorities will under no circumstances arrest the Catalan president in exile, Carles Puigdemont, when he visits Northern Catalonia next month. Exile body the Catalan Council for the Republic is preparing a massive event with Puigdemont in the Perpinyà, which might be held at the 14,500 capacity USAP rugby stadium.
Asked by the newspaper if the European Arrest Warrant issued by Spain against Puigdemont could prompt French authorities to arrest and extradite the Catalan politician, Ndiaye made it clear that this would not be the case and that the country would respect the immunity that Puigdemont has as an MEP.
"France's position has always been the same. We respect the sovereignty of the Spanish state and its justice system. Mr Puigdemont is a Member of the European Parliament and therefore has parliamentary immunity. Spain has made a request to the European Parliament for that immunity to be waived, but for now there is no response," said Sibeth Ndiaye.
The members of the Council for the Republic will meet again on February 1st in Waterloo (Belgium) to decide more specifics on the proposed unitary independence movement event in Northern Catalonia. On several occasions, Puigdemont has expressed his enthusiasm about hosting an event in Perpinyà, which is part of the Catalan-speaking lands, as well as a holding a meeting of his parliamentary group there.
Europa Press has reported that the stadium of Perpinyà rugby club USAB is one of several sports venues in the Northern Catalonia capital approached with regard to the pro-independence event, which will probably take place in the second half of February. The USAB club has strong links with Catalan culture, with its club colours being the yellow and red of the Catalan senyera, and the Lluis Llach-written protest song L'Estaca being a stadium favourite.