Police are locking down Barcelona to search for Puigdemont.
Catalan separatist leader Puigdemont ends years-long exile, appears in Barcelona despite facing arrest in Spain. After a well-received appearance, he quickly disappears. Police search for him and lock down the city.
Spanish police have launched a major manhunt, codenamed "Cage," to arrest Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont in Barcelona. Roadblocks have been set up on all major exits from the Mediterranean metropolis, with police checking every vehicle leaving the city, as seen on state TV station RTVE. In some cases, car trunks were searched, and motorcyclists were asked to remove their helmets. A white car is being sought, reported newspaper "El País," which described the scenes as surreal.
Puigdemont appeared in the center of Barcelona on Thursday morning after nearly seven years in exile, walking unmolested through the streets surrounded by leading politicians from his Junts party. Despite an arrest warrant against the 61-year-old, police did not intervene. Puigdemont had fled the country secretly in a car after an illegal independence referendum in 2017 and the subsequent failed secession attempt.
Brief Speech to Supporters
Puigdemont gave a brief speech to several thousand supporters near the regional parliament, where the election of socialist Salvador Illa as the new president of Catalonia was taking place. "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 of Catalonia in years to advocate for the wealthy region remaining part of Spain. Puigdemont had announced he would attend the parliamentary session, exercising his democratic right as an elected deputy. However, instead of proceeding to the parliament after his speech, 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 images shortly after his speech, and Spanish media speculated about his whereabouts. Leading members of his party calmly and silently walked through the crowd towards the parliament, but Puigdemont had already disappeared. The threat of arrest despite an amnesty law for separatists stems from the controversial interpretation of the law by the justice system.
The amnesty law excludes cases of personal enrichment from pardon. Although Puigdemont is not accused of pocketing public funds, investigating judge Pablo Llarena accuses him of personal enrichment. According to Llarena's argument, using public funds instead of personal money for illegal political goals during the 2017 independence referendum amounts to personal enrichment.
His party emerged as the strongest force from the early election in May, requiring the support of the left-wing separatist party ERC, which was secured through concessions on financial issues and the promotion of the Catalan language. However, if a new government is not formed by August 25, fresh elections will have to be held. In his inaugural speech at parliament, he promised to bolster Catalonia and advocated for the full application of amnesty for separatists.
The police continue their search for Puigdemont despite his brief appearance in Barcelona, with roadblocks and vehicle checks in place. Despite being the target of a major manhunt, Puigdemont managed to disappear into the crowd after his speech, evading capture by the police.
