Ex-Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont returns to Spain after 7 years as a fugitive

Local constabulary were deployed successful a information ringing astir a conception of nan parkland wherever Catalonia’s parliament building is located down walls. Puigdemont walked towards nan building followed by masses of supporters.

He had earlier announced publically that he was returning to Spain, though he gave nary recreation details.

Puigdemont’s beingness successful Spain is apt to make renewed governmental hostility complete nan smoldering rumor of Catalan independence. The grounded secession effort triggered a prolonged law crisis.

It was not instantly clear really authorities will proceed if he is arrested.

A contentious amnesty Bill, crafted by Spain’s Socialist-led conjugation government, could perchance clear him and hundreds of different supporters of Catalan independency of immoderate wrongdoing complete nan forbidden 2017 ballot.

But nan Bill, approved by Spain’s parliament earlier this year, is being challenged by nan Supreme Court, leaving uncertainty astir what crimes would beryllium pardoned. Puigdemont could initially beryllium placed successful pre-trial detention if he is arrested.

The erstwhile Catalan leader’s return threatened to complicate a woody brokered aft months of deadlock betwixt Salvador Illa’s Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) and nan different main Catalan separatist statement and left-wing Esquerra Republicana (ERC).

That woody had ensured conscionable capable support successful Catalonia’s parliament for Illa to go nan adjacent location president successful an investiture statement connected Thursday.