Toni Comín will return to Catalonia on October 24th

BarcelonaJunts MEP Toni Comín has announced that he will return to Catalonia on October 24th after nine years of exile in Belgium. In a letter sent to his inner circle, to which ARA has had access, the former minister says he wants to cross the border on foot. "The idea is to cross on foot one of the mountain passes that connect Northern Catalonia with Southern Catalonia, on Saturday, October 24th, around 12 in the morning," he explains in the letter. In the missive, Comín highlights that "it will be an important moment, undoubtedly a very happy one," which he will only experience "once in a lifetime." For this reason, he invites his inner circle to accompany him on his return. "I know with whom I would like to share it." The announcement comes after it was learned this Tuesday that Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena plans to propose the dismissal of the case against the exiles between this Friday and next Tuesday.

"The amnesty for the exiles is now a reality. After nine years, I can finally return home with full freedom. It is time to prepare for the return, this return that my family and all of you –my friends– have been waiting for since the very first minute, day after day, throughout all this time," says Comín. "What I propose to you, then, is that those who can accompany me to cross the border –that sad administrative line that divides our country and that prevented me from returning home freely–, and that we do it the only way we can all do it together, which is by walking," he adds.

In the letter, Comín says that it is "a very simple walk, of one hour." However, he assures "that he does not want to create a problem with this call." "Everyone's lives are complicated and I would not want to complicate yours even more. No one should feel obligated to anything, of course," he points out. "Let's be clear: it is an invitation that I could not fail to extend to you, but none of you should feel bad if you cannot come," continues the former minister. Comín ends the letter by stating that "he is saving his emotions" for the day of the return. "There we will share them with those who can be there, and with the rest we will do it whenever I can hug you. I will tell you only one thing that –I already know– there is no need for me to tell you: returning home, nine years later, will be one of the most beautiful things that will have happened to me in my life," he concludes.

President Carles Puigdemont will still take a few weeks to return. This very Tuesday his lawyer, Gonzalo Boye, has confirmed that he will not do so until the Spanish electoral campaign has ended.