Spain withdraws Puigdemont arrest warrant

A Spanish judge has withdrawn an international arrest warrant for ex-Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont and four other ministers.

They fled to Belgium a month ago after declaring unilateral independence in a referendum ruled illegal by the Spanish Supreme Court.

A judge said the ministers still faced possible charges for sedition and rebellion against the state, but had showed a willingness to return to Spain before regional elections on 21 December.

On Monday six other ministers were released from prison near Madrid on bail. Two others, including the former Catalan vice-president, remain in custody.
 BBC
 5/12/17
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