Catalonia's former rebel president can return to Spain, court rules
Summary
Spain’s Supreme Court has ruled that Carles Puigdemont, the former president of Catalonia, can return to Spain without being arrested. Puigdemont fled Spain almost ten years ago after leading a failed attempt for Catalan independence and has been living in Belgium since then.Key Facts
- Puigdemont led a 2017 independence referendum in Catalonia, which was banned by Spain’s government.
- After the failed referendum, Madrid took direct control of Catalonia and Puigdemont fled to Belgium.
- Spain’s Supreme Court lifted the arrest warrant against Puigdemont, allowing his safe return.
- Earlier this year, a controversial amnesty covered many Catalan politicians, but Puigdemont was initially excluded due to alleged financial crimes.
- The Constitutional Court overruled Puigdemont’s exclusion from the amnesty, and the Supreme Court rejected a far-right party’s appeal to keep arrest warrants active.
- Puigdemont remains politically active, serving as a member of the European Parliament and the Catalan Parliament.
- Puigdemont has made rare short visits to Spain but has avoided arrest by escaping abroad quickly.
- The Catalan independence issue is less prominent now, with housing and immigration being bigger political topics in Spain.
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