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Catalonia's former rebel president can return to Spain, court rules

Spain's Supreme Court has upheld the cancellation of an arrest warrant for former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, enabling his potential return from exile in Belgium. The court confirmed that amnesty applies to Puigdemont, allowing him to return without the threat of arrest. Additionally, the Court of Accounts granted amnesty to Puigdemont, Oriol Junqueras, and 33 other defendants regarding expenses linked to the 2017 independence referendum. The decision follows a broader political shift in Spain and has been welcomed by independence supporters and the CUP party.

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⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
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  • ✓ The Spanish Supreme Court upheld the lifting of an arrest warrant for Carles Puigdemont.
  • ✓ Puigdemont is permitted to return to Spain without the threat of arrest.
  • ✓ The Court of Accounts applied amnesty to Carles Puigdemont and 34 other defendants for expenses related to the procés.
  • ✓ Carles Puigdemont led a bid for Catalonia's independence in 2017.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 14 independent reporting domains (100% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

The Spanish Supreme Court upheld the lifting of the arrest warrant and the Court of Accounts applied amnesty to referendum spending charges.

Live updates

  1. Spanish Supreme Court lifts arrest warrant for Carles Puigdemont

    Spain's Supreme Court has upheld the cancellation of an arrest warrant for former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, enabling his potential return from exile in Belgium. The court confirmed that amnesty applies to Puigdemont, allowing him to return without the threat of arrest. Additionally, the Court of Accounts granted amnesty to Puigdemont, Oriol Junqueras, and 33 other defendants regarding expenses linked to the 2017 independence referendum. The decision follows a broader political shift in Spain and has been welcomed by independence supporters and the CUP party.

    Why it matters

    Puigdemont led a bid for Catalan independence in 2017 and has lived in exile for nearly a decade. While a 2024 amnesty covered many separatists, the Supreme Court previously ruled it did not apply to certain embezzlement charges. This latest ruling removes a primary legal barrier to his return.

    What is confirmed

    • The Spanish Supreme Court upheld the lifting of an arrest warrant for Carles Puigdemont.
    • Puigdemont is permitted to return to Spain without the threat of arrest.
    • The Court of Accounts applied amnesty to Carles Puigdemont and 34 other defendants for expenses related to the procés.
    • Carles Puigdemont led a bid for Catalonia's independence in 2017.
    • Puigdemont has lived in exile in Belgium.

    What to watch next

    • Confirmation of Puigdemont's actual date of return to Spain
    • Further rulings on collusion allegations between separatists and Russia
    Sources used for this update (16)
    1. www.bbc.com — BBC Home - Breaking News, World News, US News, Sports, Business...
    2. BBC — Catalonia's former rebel president can return to Spain, court rules
    3. Demócrata — The CUP applauds the Supreme Court's decision and urges independence supporters to get out of the amnesty maze.
    4. ua.news — Spanish court allows Puigdemont to return without threat of arrest — BBC News
    5. El Constitucional — The Court of Accounts applies amnesty to Carles Puigdemont and 34 other defendants for 'procés' expenses
    6. Demócrata — Puigdemont urges the Supreme Court to grant him amnesty without further delay to favor normalization in Catalonia
    7. Demócrata — Turull celebrates the amnesty for Puigdemont as a victory
    8. Catalan News — Spanish Supreme Court judge confirms lifting of Puigdemont's arrest warrant, says amnesty must apply
    9. todoalicante.es — Court of Audit grants amnesty to Puigdemont, Junqueras and 33 others over Catalan referendum spending
    10. www.bbc.com — Catalonia's former rebel president can return to Spain, court ...
    11. kenews.co.ke — Catalonia’s former rebel president cleared to return to Spain ...
    12. unn.ua — A Spanish court has allowed former Catalan President ...
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