A Spanish judge yesterday withdrew the European arrest warrants for ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four members of his former cabinet who have been fighting extradition from Belgium.
A Supreme Court spokesman said that the five could still be arrested if they go back to Spain, however, because they are still being sought for crimes related to the independence bid in northeastern Catalonia.
The spokesman asked not to be named in line with court rules.
Supreme Court magistrate Pablo Llarena said that individual European warrants don’t apply anymore because evidence has emerged that the alleged crimes were committed as part of a wider group.
He also said that the probed politicians have shown their “intention to return to Spain” in order to run for elections in Catalonia.
The five Catalans are facing rebellion, sedition and embezzlement among other charges.
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