The Constitutional Court, by a vote of seven to five, protects the leaders of the Catalan independence movement against the Supreme Court's decision not to grant amnesty for embezzlement, paving the way for Puigdemont's return.

The Spanish Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of granting amnesty for the crime of embezzlement to leaders of the 'procés' movement, including former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont. The decision was reached by a seven-to-five vote, with the court's progressive majority prevailing over the conservative minority. This ruling effectively overrides the Supreme Court's previous refusal to apply the amnesty law to these specific charges.

As a result of this decision, the Supreme Court is now required to lift the arrest warrants currently in effect for the involved leaders, including Puigdemont. The ruling specifically addresses the case of former regional minister Dolors Bassa and establishes a legal precedent that facilitates the return of exiled Catalan political figures.