Catalan ex-president and former ministers get conditional freedom in Belgium

Ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and four close separatist allies have regained their freedom at the end of a tumultuous week that started when they surrendered in Brussels to face possible extradition to Spain for allegedly plotting a rebellion.

But a Brussels investigative judge quickly ruled there was no reason to put the five politicians behind bars and released them on condition they stay in Belgium and attend their court sessions within two weeks.