Spain's court has lifted an arrest warrant for Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, allowing him to return to Catalonia ahead of elections.

Updated 2026-10-09 · told from many outlets at once

Spain's Constitutional Court lifted an arrest warrant for Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, allowing him to return without legal risk. The decision follows a 2017 independence declaration by Catalonia and a May amnesty law passed by the Spanish parliament. Puigdemont fled to Belgium after the referendum and has since been cleared of legal action.

• A warrant for Carles Puigdemont was lifted by Spain's Constitutional Court, ending legal obstacles to his return to Spain.
• Carles Puigdemont fled Spain after the 2017 independence referendum and spent time in Belgium.
• The Spanish Constitutional Court ruled that the amnesty applies to embezzlement cases and that misuse of public funds is not personal enrichment.
• Puigdemont stated the decision ends political repression.
• The Supreme Court refused to apply the amnesty to Puigdemont.
• The Spanish parliament passed an amnesty law for acts related to Catalan independence efforts in May.
• Catalonia unilaterally declared independence from Spain in 2017.
• The arrest warrant for Puigdemont was issued to facilitate his return to Spain.
• Investigating judge Pablo Llarena lifted the national arrest warrant on Puigdemont at the Supreme Court.
• The Constitutional Court found the interpretation of the amnesty law contradicted its spirit and purpose.
• The European justice system validated the amnesty law in July.
• The Spanish Prime Minister called early elections for November 29.

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