From BBC News · · 1m 40s
Puigdemont can return to Spain, court rules
Spain's Supreme Court lifts the arrest warrant for Catalonia's former president nearly a decade after he fled over a failed independence bid.
In brief
Spain's Supreme Court lifts the arrest warrant for Catalonia's former president nearly a decade after he fled over a failed independence bid. Spain's Supreme Court has lifted an arrest warrant for Carles Puigdemont, Catalonia's former president, allowing him to return after nearly a decade in exile following a failed…
Court lifts arrest warrant
Spain's Supreme Court has ruled that Carles Puigdemont, Catalonia's former president, can return without fear of arrest.
Nearly a decade in exile
Puigdemont fled to Belgium after direct rule was imposed on Catalonia following the 2017 vote.He has been based there ever since, making only one known return to Spain in 2024 that prompted a police manhunt.
Amnesty excluded him
In 2024, Spain's socialist government introduced an amnesty for dozens of Catalan politicians involved in the secession drive.But the Supreme Court initially excluded Puigdemont and several colleagues, citing alleged financial crimes around staging the referendum.
Constitutional Court overruled
The Constitutional Court overruled the Supreme Court's interpretation earlier this month. On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the far-right Vox party against lifting arrest warrants for Puigdemont and his former ministers Lluís…
Independence now marginal
The Spain to which Puigdemont may return is much different from a decade ago. Catalan independence is now a relatively marginal issue, with housing and immigration dominating the political agenda.
Return timing uncertain
It is still not known when Puigdemont might return to Spain. His former regional minister for health, Toni Comín, plans to travel this week to Madrid to carry out administrative procedures linked to his status…
The headline
Spain's Supreme Court has lifted an arrest warrant for Carles Puigdemont, Catalonia's former president, allowing him to return after nearly a decade in exile following a failed 2017 independence referendum.
