German prosecutors are seeking to extradite former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont to Spain, after the pro-independence politician was detained as he attempted to travel through German territory.

Mr Puigdemont has been living in self-imposed exile to avoid charges of rebellion, sedition, and the misuse of public funds – levelled by Madrid in relation to his part in last year’s Catalan independence referendum.

He was trying to travel from Belgium, where he had been living, to Finland, when he was arrested on 25 March by German authorities.

The former president would probably face trial if he returned to Spain.

German prosecutors in the region of Schleswig-Holstein said they had asked their local court to formally put Mr Puigdemont in pre-extradition custody. They said they had conducted an “intensive examination” of the European arrest warrant issued by Spain’s supreme court on 23 March for the politician’s arrest.

“The accusation of rebellion contains at its core the allegation of carrying out an unconstitutional referendum despite expectations of violent disturbances,” the prosecutors said.

It is expected that the Schleswig-Holstein court will take several days to decide on whether to honour the prosecutors’ request.

Mr Puigdemont’s lawyers said the German government should intervene on his behalf, citing a “political dimension” to his arrest and charges.

Catalonia election: in pictures Show all 9 1 /9 Catalonia election: in pictures Catalonia election: in pictures People react to results in Catalonia's regional elections at a gathering of the Catalan National Assembly REUTERS Catalonia election: in pictures Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and former Catalan Health Minister Antoni Comin, left, gesture during a press conference Rex Features Catalonia election: in pictures Center-right party Ciudadanos (Citizens) candidate Ines Arrimadas (C) and the rest of candidates and party members celebrate their polls results AFP/Getty Images Catalonia election: in pictures Suporters of Ciudadanos party celebrate the results EPA Catalonia election: in pictures Former Catalan regional minister Jordi Turull (C), candidate of Catalan pro-independence party Junts per Catalunya, and former Catalan regional minister Josep Rull, candidate of Junts per Catalunya celebrate the results Rex Features Catalonia election: in pictures Catalan independence supporters celebrate AP Catalonia election: in pictures Candidate of Ciudadanos party to the Catalan regional elections, Ines Arrimadas (C), next to the party leader, Albert Rivera (behind), delivers her speech as they celebrate the results EPA Catalonia election: in pictures Catalan independence supporters celebrate at the Catalan National Assembly headquarters after results of the regional elections in Barcelona AP Catalonia election: in pictures Junts Per Catalunya supporters celebrate following the Catalan regional election Getty Images

Following Catalonia’s attempt to declare independence, the Spanish central government suspended home rule in the region and called new local elections.