Spain: Catalan separatist returns from exile, delivers speech, then gets vanished

Police in Spain's Catalonia region have begun a large-scale manhunt since Thursday (August 8) for Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalan leader who fled Spain following his involvement in the failed 2017 attempt to cede Catalonia from Spain.

Puigdemont, 61, made a brief return to Barcelona and addressed a crowd of supporters before disappearing.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Authorities set up roadblocks across Barcelona and the broader Catalonia region in their search for Puigdemont.

The separatist leader faces an active arrest warrant. The unexpected return of the separatist leadercreated a significant stir with thousands gathering near the Catalan regional parliament expecting his speech.

Puigdemont indeed took the stage under the watchful eyes of police officers and delivered a defiant message to the crowd. "Long live a free Catalonia!" he shouted, as the audience waved the iconic red, yellow, and blue Catalan independence flags.

Despite the heavy police presence, no immediate attempt was made to arrest him.

"I have come here to remind you that we are still here," Puigdemont declared while referring to the purported struggle for Catalan independence.

The former leader had been expected to enter the parliament for a crucial investiture vote which proceeded in his absence.

Also watch |Spain: Ahead of world water day Catalonia struggles with drought

The regional police confirmed the arrest of an officer who owned the car believed to have been used by Puigdemont to flee the scene. Later in the day, a second police officer was also arrested.

The Spanish police, however, denied any prearranged deal with Puigdemont's entourage, stating that their strategy was to arrest him at a time that would not incite public disorder.

The leader of the main opposition Popular Party, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, has described Puigdemont's return to Spain as an "unbearable humiliation" that damages the country's image.

(With inputs from agencies)