An amnesty for Catalan separatists has come into force in Spain, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
„The law for institutional, political and social normalization in Catalonia”, published on Tuesday in Spain's Official Gazette, means separatists who fled abroad to escape the Spanish justice system can return home without fear of arrest.
Most prominent among these figures is the former leader of the regional government, Carles Puigdemont, who was wanted for holding what Spanish authorities consider an illegal referendum on Catalan independence nearly seven years ago.
The amnesty law, which was adopted at the end of May, caused heated debates in the parliament and led to street protests, DPA recalls.
Judge Pablo Llarena of the Supreme Court announced that, for the time being, the arrest warrants for Puigdemont and three other separatist politicians will remain in place. The judge gave the prosecutor's office and the lawyers of the affected parties five days to submit an opinion on the “applicability” of the new amnesty law before deciding whether to lift the arrest warrants, the Supreme Court said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez promised an amnesty to Catalans and other concessions to secure votes for his re-election last November.
Puigdemont's liberal party “Together for Catalonia” and the Republican Left of Catalonia still seek independence from Spain. Sanchez, however, wants to prevent this and diffuse the conflict through dialogue.
In recent months, the amnesty plans have sparked widespread discontent in Spain, including protests with thousands of participants.
Opposition leader Alberto Nunes Feijoo from the conservative People's Party described the measure as a “national disgrace” and “international shame”. He accused Sanchez of political “corruption” and that he “bought“ his re-election with the amnesty.
About 400 people are expected to be covered by the law.
After the referendum in Catalonia in autumn 2017, the then conservative government in Madrid placed the region under its administration. Puigdemont fled with some of his supporters and has been living in exile in Belgium ever since.