Spain on Friday issued an European Arrest Warrants against former Catalan chief Carles Puigdemont and four of his allies on sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds, BBC reported. Puigdemont and his allies are currently in Belgium and had failed to attend a high court hearing in Madrid on Thursday.

A Madrid High Court judge rejected Puigdemont’s request to testify via video conference from Belgium. Belgium’s Federal Prosecutor Eric Van der Sypt told Reuters that Belgian authorities will study the warrant before handing it to a judge.

Puigdemont and 13 former Catalan ministers were ordered to appear before the Spanish High Court. Eight of the nine officials who showed up were taken into custody, and the ninth minister was granted bail. Puigdemont has said he would return from Belgium immediately if a fair judicial process is guaranteed in Spain.

The Spanish government has taken direct control of Catalonia, after stripping its government of autonomy following its declaration of independence from Spain. Puigdemont is considering to contest in the election to be held on December 21. “I am ready to be a candidate ... it’s possible to run a campaign from anywhere,” he has said, according to Reuters.