Spanish judge lifts Puigdemont arrest warrant after court rules amnesty covers embezzlement

Spanish Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena on Tuesday lifted the arrest warrant for Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalan separatist leader. DW and the South China Morning Post both reported the decision.

The move followed a ruling by Spain's Constitutional Court that the 2024 amnesty law applies to the crime of embezzlement. According to DW, the court issued its ruling on the same day.

Puigdemont had been accused of using public funds to hold an independence referendum. This was treated as embezzlement. The decision clears the way for him to return to Spain ahead of a general election in November. DW reports the election is set for 29 November.

Background

The amnesty law was intended to ease tensions in Catalonia, a wealthy northeastern region, after the failed 2017 independence bid. The South China Morning Post described that bid as Spain's worst political crisis in decades.

According to DW, Puigdemont went to Belgium in 2017 after leading the attempt and had been wanted by Spanish authorities since then. Several Catalan ministers who stayed in Spain were sentenced to long prison terms, DW reported.

DW reported that the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez passed the law in 2024 to cover all offenses related to the secession attempt. According to DW, the law helped Sanchez secure the support of Catalan separatist parties and stay in power after the 2023 election produced no clear majority.

About 400 separatists have benefited from the amnesty, according to DW. Puigdemont had been excluded because the Supreme Court initially ruled that the law did not apply to people accused of embezzlement. DW reported that the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of one of Puigdemont's allies, who had appealed against that ruling.

According to DW, Puigdemont's Junts party voted last week against housing relief measures proposed by the government amid large protests. DW reports that this prompted Sanchez on Monday to call a snap election.

What each side says

Sanchez welcomed the decision. DW quoted him as saying it would allow Catalonia to "look to the future". Speaking to journalists in Madrid, he said, according to DW: "We should celebrate that this also helps Catalan society, as it has been demanding throughout this time."

Junts withdrew its support for the government last year. According to DW, the party then accused Sanchez of failing to fulfill promises, including securing amnesty for its leader.

Spain's conservative and right-wing parties strongly opposed the amnesty law, according to DW.

What the reports do not say

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include any reaction from Puigdemont, his lawyers, opposition parties or prosecutors. They do not say whether or when Puigdemont plans to return, or whether he intends to run in the election. They do not describe the Constitutional Court's reasoning or vote, or name the ally whose appeal succeeded. They also do not say whether other legal proceedings against him remain open.

Analysis

The ruling removes the legal obstacle that had kept Puigdemont outside the amnesty. It comes weeks before a snap election, which may affect the campaign. Several paths remain open. Puigdemont could return and take part in the campaign, or he could stay abroad. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not indicate his plans. Supporters of the amnesty may present the decision as a step toward reconciliation in Catalonia. Opponents, who strongly resisted the law, may treat it as a campaign issue. How Junts positions itself toward Sanchez's government, after withdrawing its support, could shape possible coalition arithmetic after the vote. Whether other legal proceedings remain is also unclear.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.