EU's top court upholds Spain's amnesty law for Catalan separatists

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled on July 16 that a controversial Spanish law granting amnesty to individuals involved in the Catalan independence movement does not violate EU law, Report informs.

The decision hands a major political and legal victory to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government, validating a core initiative aimed at resolving the political crisis surrounding Catalonia.

The Luxembourg-based court ruled that the amnesty law is compatible with EU legislation, noting that it seeks to reduce institutional and political tensions while facilitating a scenario for reconciliation. The court also rejected arguments that the amnesty undermines the financial interests of the European Union or conflicts with EU counter-terrorism rules.

While the ruling could ease the return of several Catalan leaders who fled Spain following the failed 2017 unilateral independence bid, former Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont will not be able to benefit from the amnesty immediately. Spain's Supreme Court previously refused to apply the pardon to Puigdemont, meaning the arrest warrant against him on embezzlement charges remains in force. He is currently awaiting a decision from Spain's Constitutional Court following the CJEU's findings.

The amnesty law, approved in 2024, has already applied to around 400 people linked to the events of 2017, when Catalan authorities organized a banned independence referendum and subsequently issued a unilateral declaration of independence from Spain.