Spain’s top criminal court on Tuesday asked sacked Catalan leader Carles Puidgemont to appear before it for questioning later this week, BBC reported. Along with Puidgemont, 13 other members of his dismissed government were also summoned.

On Monday, Spain’s chief prosecutor José Manuel Maza had announced the start of legal action against the Catalan leaders including charges of rebellion, sedition and provocation. The Spanish government has also taken direct control of Catalonia, after stripping its government of autonomy following its declaration of independence from Spain.

The court gave the separatist leaders three days to pay a deposit of 6.2 million euros (Rs 46.6 crore) to cover potential liabilities. Prosecutors could order their arrest if they do not appear before the court on Thursday and Friday.

Puigdemont and several of his former ministers are now in Belgium. In a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday, Puigdemont said he would respect the results of December’s snap regional elections, The Guardian reported. He also said he would return from Belgium immediately if a fair judicial process is guaranteed in Spain.

Puigdemont said he was not trying to escape justice but wanted to be able to speak freely.

The Spanish government had announced that Puigdemont can participate in the December 21 elections scheduled for Catalonia.