The extradition order for Carles Puigdemont, the ex-president of the Spanish region of Catalonia will soon be approved by the Attorney- General of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.

A spokesperson for a court in the northern German city of Schleswig said Thursday that the court ruled that Puigdemont could be extradited to Spain on charges of misappropriation of public funds after he rejected a separate charge of rebellion.

Spain has demanded Puigedmont’s extradition due to his key role in a disputed referendum on Catalonia’s independence last October. The extradition requires approval of the state’s attorney general in order to be executed.

Puigdemont fled to Belgium after the referendum, but was arrested while travelling in Germany on March 25.