Barcelona is locked down for the search for Puigdemont.
Catalan separatist leader Puigdemont ends years-long exile, appears before supporters in Barcelona despite arrest threat. After a well-received appearance, he goes into hiding. Police search for him and arrest one of their own, suspected of helping Puigdemont.
Spanish police have launched a major manhunt, codenamed "Cage," to apprehend Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont in Barcelona. Roadblocks have been set up on all major exit routes from the Mediterranean metropolis, with police checking every vehicle leaving the city, as shown on state TV channel RTVE. In some cases, trunk spaces were searched, and motorcyclists were asked to remove their helmets. A white car is being sought, according to the newspaper "El País," which described the scenes as surreal.
Media reports suggest that police have arrested one of their own officers, suspected of helping Puigdemont go into hiding in Barcelona. The officer is said to have provided the white car Puigdemont used to escape after a brief speech to supporters in the city center, according to police sources cited by "El País" and "La Vanguardia." There has been no official confirmation yet.
Puigdemont appeared in Barcelona's center on Thursday morning, ending nearly seven years in exile. Surrounded by leading politicians from his Junts party, he walked through the streets unmolested, greeting supporters on both sides. Despite an outstanding arrest warrant, police present did not intervene. Puigdemont had fled Spain secretly in a car after an illegal independence referendum in 2017 and a failed secession attempt.
Brief Speech to Supporters
Puigdemont gave a brief speech to several thousand supporters near the regional parliament, where Socialist Salvador Illa was to be sworn in as Catalonia's new minister-president. "I've come here today to remind you that we're still here, because we have no right to give up," he said, referring to his fight for Catalan independence from Spain.
"We have no interest in living in a country where amnesty laws don't grant amnesty," Puigdemont added, referring to the justice system's refusal to apply the approved amnesty to him.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary session to elect Illa began. Illa would be the first regional leader in years to advocate for Catalonia remaining part of Spain. Puigdemont had announced he would attend the parliamentary session, exercising his democratic right as an elected MP. Instead of heading to the parliament after his speech, however, he disappeared into the crowd. Police had reportedly focused on preventing Puigdemont from entering the parliament, even checking tunnels under the parliamentary building.
Speculation About Puigdemont's Whereabouts
Puigdemont was not seen on TV footage shortly after his speech, and Spanish media speculated about his whereabouts. Leading members of his party calmly walked through the crowd towards the parliament, but Puigdemont was already gone. His arrest threat persists due to the controversial interpretation of the amnesty law by the justice system.
The Amnesty Law excludes cases of personal enrichment from immunity from prosecution. Although Puigdemont is not accused of pocketing public funds, investigating judge Pablo Llarena accuses him of personal enrichment. The argument is that for his illegal political goals in the 2017 independence referendum, he used public funds instead of his own, which is considered personal enrichment.
His party emerged as the strongest force from the snap election in May, but needs the support of the left-wing separatist ERC party, which was secured through concessions on financial issues and promotion of the Catalan language. If there is no new government by August 25, new elections will have to be held. In his nomination speech at the parliament, he promised to strengthen Catalonia and advocated for full application of amnesty for separatists.
The Commission has expressed concern over the escalating situation in Barcelona, calling for respect for democracy and the rule of law. Despite being in hiding, Puigdemont's arrest threat remains, as the investigation into his alleged personal enrichment continues.
