AssetID: 56078519
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Spain Lifts Puigdemont Arrest Warrant After Nearly Nine Years In Exile
Caption: Spain Lifts Puigdemont Arrest Warrant After Nearly Nine Years In Exile. Spain’s Supreme Court has lifted the national arrest warrant against Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, clearing the way for his return after nearly nine years in Belgium. Puigdemont described the decision as "a clear defeat for the Spanish state" but said it did not resolve the wider conflict between Catalonia and Spain. Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena acted after the Constitutional Court ruled that Spain's 2024 amnesty should apply to former Catalan minister Dolors Bassa. However, the decision is provisional and does not formally apply the amnesty to Puigdemont or dismiss the charges against him. Puigdemont fled to Belgium after leading Catalonia's failed 2017 independence bid, which prompted Madrid to remove the regional government. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez later agreed to an amnesty law in exchange for support from Puigdemont's Junts party to form a government. The Supreme Court previously refused to apply the amnesty to Puigdemont, arguing that the alleged embezzlement involved EU financial interests. Puigdemont has not announced when he will return, with his possible homecoming set to become an issue ahead of Spain's November 29 snap election. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,Carles Puigdemont,Spain,Catalonia,Pedro Sánchez,Pablo Llarena,Dolors Bassa,Junts,amnesty law,arrest warrant,Catalan independence,Catalan separatism,Spain election
PersonInImage: