Catalan Separatist Leader Carles Puigdemont Cleared to Return to Spain After Arrest Warrant Lifted

Self-exiled Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont is poised to return to Spain following a Constitutional Court ruling that an amnesty law applies to embezzlement charges against him. A Supreme Court judge subsequently lifted his arrest warrant on Tuesday, clearing the path for his homecoming without the threat of detention.

Carles Puigdemont fled to Belgium in 2017 while serving as president of Catalonia, following an independence referendum that Madrid declared illegal. Although Catalonia unilaterally declared independence that year after 90 percent of voters backed the move, he successfully avoided multiple Spanish extradition attempts while various allies faced imprisonment.

Members of the Junts political party celebrated the development. Jordi Turull, secretary-general of Junts, told reporters that the outcome represents a major victory against the Spanish state.

The potential return coincides with preparations for a snap election in November, called by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez after his minority government lost key parliamentary votes. While Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez welcomed the court ruling and emphasized coexistence, Spain’s People’s Party currently leads in opinion polls ahead of the upcoming vote.