Ex-Catalan leader appears before Belgian authorities over arrest warrant

Spain seeks to extradite Carles Puigdemont as Catalonia braces for general strike

Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalan president sought by Spanish courts over his role in the region's failed independence bid, has been released on bail after testifying before judicial authorities in Belgium in response to the reactivation of an international arrest warrant against him this week.

News of his court appearance came as Catalonia braced itself for a general strike and a huge demonstration in Barcelona after a fourth night of violent protests triggered by the jailing of nine pro-independence leaders by the Spanish supreme court on Monday.