Carles Puigdemont, the Catalan separatist leader, made a dramatic return to Spain for the first time in seven years, evading capture by Spanish police who had set up roadblocks around Barcelona. Addressing a rally in Barcelona, Puigdemont delivered a speech to thousands of supporters, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for Catalan independence. Despite a significant police presence aimed at arresting him for embezzlement related to Catalonia’s illegal 2017 independence referendum, Puigdemont managed to disappear shortly after his appearance, allegedly with the assistance of a local police officer. This event coincides with Catalonia’s Parliament preparing to swear in a new president, following a decline in Puigdemont’s party’s influence in recent elections.
- Carles Puigdemont returned to Spain for the first time in seven years, evading Spanish police efforts to capture him.
- He addressed a rally in Barcelona, where he was cheered on by thousands of supporters advocating for Catalan independence.
- Despite a 300-strong police force near the Catalan Parliament aimed at arresting him, Puigdemont was able to leave the scene, reportedly with the help of a local police officer.
- Puigdemont has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium and France after the Spanish courts declared Catalonia’s 2017 independence referendum illegal.
- The Spanish parliament passed an amnesty law in May, pardoning those involved in the failed secession bid, but the Supreme Court upheld an arrest warrant for Puigdemont related to embezzlement charges.
- The event occurred as Catalonia’s Parliament was preparing to swear in a new president, with a coalition agreement set to bring the Socialist Salvador Illa to power, diminishing Puigdemont’s party’s influence.
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