A Spanish judge has withdrawn the European arrest warrants for ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four members of his former cabinet who were fighting extradition from Belgium.
A Supreme Court spokesman said the five could still be arrested if they go back to Spain because they are still being sought for crimes related to the independence bid in northeastern Catalonia.
Supreme Court magistrate Pablo Llarena said individual European warrants don't apply anymore because evidence has emerged that the alleged crimes were committed as part of a wider group.
He also said the probed politicians have shown their "intention to return to Spain" in order to run for elections in Catalonia.
The five Catalans are facing rebellion, sedition and embezzlement among other charges for their roles in staging in October an illegal independence referendum that led to an independence declaration in the region's parliament.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The crimes are punishable in Spain with decades in prison.
National, European and international arrest warrants were issued on November 3, after members of Puigdemont's government who remained in Spain were jailed on provisional charges.
Two ex-cabinet members, including Vice President Oriol Junqueras, and two separatist activists remain in custody.
There were no immediate reactions by Puigdemont and aides in Brussels but defence lawyer Paul Bekaert was taken by surprise when he heard the news from a reporter.
Puigdemont is leading his party's campaign for the December 21 election called by Spain's government in an attempt to find a democratic fix to the nation's worst institutional crisis in nearly four decades.
