Former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont | John Thys/AFP via Getty Images Puigdemont regrets hesitation in declaring Catalan independence The former Catalan leader says he should have made the move ‘straight away.’

Former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont regrets having hesitated in declaring independence in Catalonia after a disputed October 1 referendum last year that was deemed unconstitutional by Madrid under then Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

"I should have declared independence right away after the referendum, on October 10," Puigdemont told Belgian media De Morgen in an interview published Wednesday. On that day, Puigdemont addressed the Catalan parliament amid high expectations, but remained reluctant to formally declare independence.

Puigdemont said he hesitated in order to give the Spanish government "a chance for dialogue," which he said the government had given him "a clear signal" for. "But this turned out to be a trap," he said, adding he believes Madrid just wanted "to win time in order to adapt the important Article 155 of the constitution."

The Catalan assembly did declare independence on October 27, but this was not internationally recognized, and Madrid imposed direct rule on Catalonia the same day on the grounds of Article 155. Puigdemont subsequently fled to Belgium at the end of October and remains there in exile.

Puigdemont called on the current Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, to "de-escalate" the situation. "One cannot say one wants to negotiate, but at the same time name your discussion partners as dangerous rebels." He said it is time for Sánchez to clarify whether he sees any "process" for Catalonia or not.

Puigdemont further demanded that the issue be "taken out of the hands of the Spanish courts, where ultra-right forces from the Franco regime are still present," referring to the former Spanish dictator.

He stressed he does not want any violence in the Catalan conflict. "I'm not a terrorist. I'm not a monster. I'm a democrat and a genuine pacifist who has always ruled out any violence."

Puigdemont called it "a shame" that there are still "political captives" in Europe, referring to his colleagues imprisoned in Spain, and he urged a "strong signal from Europe."

Earlier this week, Puigdemont called for European Council President Donald Tusk to mediate in resolving the Catalan conflict.

"Mr. Tusk has shown his views are mainly focused on the rapprochement between Spain and Catalonia," Puigdemont told De Morgen on Wednesday. "He is listening to us, he wants to understand us," he added, noting it is good that Tusk isn't "only talking to Spain."

"I'm waiting for the moment the whole of Europe will look for a closer approach to us," Puigdemont said.