Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont walked out of a German jail Friday after judges in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein ordered his release on bail as they mull his extradition to Spain on a corruption charge, while dropping the more serious charge of rebellion.
"I would like to thank everyone for their help and solidarity," Puigdemont told reporters in German outside Neumuenster prison, after posting bail of 75,000 euros ($92,000).
The court on Thursday rejected an extradition request on the charge of rebellion for Puigdemont's role in the campaign for Catalonia's independence, but said extradition to Spain was possible on a lesser charge of misuse of public funds.
But Spain's Supreme Curt said Friday it was considering consulting the European Court of Justice on the decision to reject his extradition for rebellion.
The former Catalan leader, who wore a dark suit on leaving the prison, was arrested last month on a Spanish-issued arrest warrant as he entered Germany.
"We have demanded dialogue for several years and we have only received violence and repression," Puigdemont told reporters on Friday.
"There is no excuse for the Spanish authorities to start a political dialogue with the Catalan political leaders,” he said.
He also called for "the immediate release of all of my (Catalan) colleagues".
