- Puigdemont disappears after speech: search for "cage" in Barcelona
Spanish police launches major operation "Cage" to arrest Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont in Barcelona. Roadblocks were set up on major exit roads from the Mediterranean metropolis, with police checking every vehicle leaving the city, as seen on state TV RTVE. In some cases, trunk spaces were checked, and motorcyclists were asked to remove their helmets. A white car was being sought, reported the newspaper "El País", which described the scenes as surreal.
Puigdemont appeared in the center of Barcelona in the morning after nearly seven years in exile, surrounded by leading politicians of his party Junts, walking through the streets unmolested and greeting supporters on both sides. Despite an arrest warrant against the 61-year-old, police did not intervene, although they were present in large numbers. Puigdemont had fled the country secretly in a car after an illegal independence referendum in 2017 and the subsequent failed secession.
Puigdemont addresses thousands of supporters
Subsequently, Puigdemont gave a brief speech to several thousand supporters near the regional parliament, where the election of Socialist Salvador Illa as the new Minister-President of Catalonia was taking place. "I have come here today to remind you that we are still here, because we have no right to give up," he said, referring to his fight for the independence of Catalonia from Spain.
"We have no interest in living in a country where amnesty laws do not amnesty," Puigdemont added, referring to the justice system's refusal to apply the approved amnesty for separatists to him.
Spanish police control access to parliament
Meanwhile, the session to elect Illa began in the parliament. Illa would be the first regional head of government of Catalonia in years to advocate for the wealthy region's continued membership in Spain. Puigdemont had announced that he would participate in the parliamentary session, citing his democratic right as an elected MP. However, instead of proceeding to the parliament after his speech, he disappeared into the crowd. According to media reports, the police had focused on preventing Puigdemont from entering the parliament, even controlling tunnels under the parliamentary building.
Spanish media speculated about Puigdemont's whereabouts after he was no longer visible on TV footage following his speech. 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 is due to the controversial interpretation of the law by the judiciary.
Investigating judge accuses him of enrichment
The amnesty law excludes cases of personal enrichment from a pardon. Although Puigdemont is not accused of pocketing public funds, investigating judge Pablo Llarena accuses him of personal enrichment. According to the judge's argument, Puigdemont used public funds instead of his own for his illegal political goals in the 2017 independence referendum, which is considered equivalent to personal enrichment.
His party emerged as the strongest force from the early election in May, but needs the support of the left-wing separatist party ERC, secured through concessions on financial issues and promotion of the Catalan language. If a new government is not formed by August 25, fresh elections will be necessary. In his inaugural speech at the parliament, he promised to bolster Catalonia and advocated for full application of amnesty for separatists.
The following day, news outlets reported that Puigdemont was spotted leaving Barcelona under police surveillance, prompting concerns among his supporters. The following allegations against Puigdemont by investigating judge Pablo Llarena added further tension to the situation.
Despite his party's victory in the early election and their negotiated concessions, the potential for fresh elections loomed if a new government wasn't formed by August 25, as stipulated by the law.
