Spain’s Supreme Court on October 19 annulled the arrest warrant for former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, clearing a legal barrier to his return after nine years outside the country. Radio Liberty reported the ruling on Monday, October 19.

Spanish authorities issued the warrant in 2017 after Puigdemont’s administration held an independence referendum in Catalonia. More than 90% of participating voters backed secession, but Madrid declared the ballot illegal and accused Puigdemont and several other Catalan politicians of rebellion.

Puigdemont subsequently left Spain and lived elsewhere in Europe, mainly in Belgium. He briefly reappeared in Spain in 2024 to address a large gathering before leaving without police determining how he had entered or exited the country.

An amnesty adopted in 2024 covered many Catalan separatist politicians and activists but initially excluded Puigdemont and former ministers Lluís Puig and Toni Comín. The October 19 decision ended proceedings against all three. Puigdemont had said he would return once the prosecution ceased, though the source did not confirm that he had already done so.