SPANISH Supreme Court Judge Pablo Llarena has withdrawn European and international arrest warrants for all the exiled Catalan politicians including former president Carles Puigdemont.
The move will affect outstanding cases against Clara Ponsati in Scotland, along with Toni Comín, Meritxell Serret, Lluis Puig and Marta Rovira.
READ: Full statement on behalf of Clara Ponsati after European Arrest Warrant withdrawn
It came as Llarena decided not to attempt to extradite Puigdemont from Germany solely for embezzlement, but kept in place a national arrest warrant for all those in exile.
We welcome news but have no official confirmation yet from Spain-we await Spain’s next step on warrants & a national warrant remains which means @ClaraPonsati remains in exile & political prisoners in custody - A disaster for Spain Lluitarem fins al final, i guanyarem! 🌹🎗 pic.twitter.com/LJFYqJ0jUC
— Aamer Anwar🎗🌹 (@AamerAnwar) July 19, 2018
This means Puigdemont is free to travel abroad but could be arrested should he set foot in Spain.
The judge added that he would not seek to pursue a European Court of Justice ruling against the German court for refusing the extradition for the crime of rebellion.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also tweeted, saying: "If true, very good news that extradition proceedings have been dropped against @ClaraPonsati.
"Political differences should be pursued democratically not through criminal courts. Let's hope she is now allowed to get on with her life – and being the credit to Scotland that she is."
A University of St Andrews spokeswoman added: "We are delighted for Clara, but will obviously monitor closely the further implications of the decision in Spain."
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