Carles Puigdemont, the exiled ex-Catalan leader, has managed to evade a massive police manhunt and flee Spain, according to his party. Spanish authorities launched a large manhunt for Puigdemont on Thursday after he suddenly returned to Spain, addressed crowds in Barcelona, and then disappeared. The 61-year-old is wanted by Spain for his involvement in the failed bid for Catalan independence in 2017.
After a tumultuous 24 hours on the run, Puigdemont is back in Belgium, his party’s secretary general confirmed. In 2017, Puigdemont and other pro-independence leaders organized a referendum that was deemed illegal, leading to the declaration of independence for Catalonia. This move resulted in Madrid imposing direct rule on the region and Puigdemont fleeing to Belgium.
His recent return to Barcelona coincided with Salvador Illa’s investiture as the new Catalan president. The Catalan police are now under scrutiny as questions arise about how Puigdemont managed to escape. The Supreme Court judge has demanded explanations regarding the failed arrest attempt, while the search for Puigdemont remains the responsibility of the Mossos in Catalonia.
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