The Catalan separatist Puigdemont has apparently managed to return to Belgium after his appearance in Barcelona. He stated on X that he had no intention of extraditing himself or allowing his arrest.
Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, who is subject to an arrest warrant, has reportedly returned to his exile in Belgium following his appearance in Barcelona. “Today I am in Waterloo after a few extremely difficult days,” the 61-year-old wrote on the X platform. He mentioned having traveled “thousands of kilometers” in just “a few days” and still needing some rest.
Puigdemont speaks of “witch hunt”
Puigdemont initially refrained from commenting on his political future. However, the politician, who is wanted under an arrest warrant in Spain, criticized the Catalan security authorities for conducting a “witch hunt” against his associates in Catalonia.
The general secretary of Puigdemont’s Junts party, Jordi Turull, had previously stated that Puigdemont was back in Belgium. The Catalan police emphasized that they were unaware of Puigdemont’s whereabouts and expressed skepticism regarding Turull’s statement.
Authorities admit failure
Puigdemont characterized the extensive manhunt launched following his disappearance after a brief speech to supporters in the heart of Barcelona as utterly disproportionate. He stated that it only burdened innocent citizens and squandered public resources. He accused the Catalan police unit Mossos d’Esquadra, which was tasked with his arrest, of behaving like the Spanish police.
The leadership of the Mossos d’Esquadra, alongside Catalonia’s Interior Minister Joan Ignasi Elena, conceded at a press conference that they had failed to arrest Puigdemont in Barcelona. However, the minister asserted that no one could have anticipated Puigdemont’s “inappropriate” behavior.
Police officers are said to have helped with the escape
After his speech, Puigdemont did not go to the parliament as expected, where socialist Salvador Illa was to be elected as the new Prime Minister of Catalonia. Illa is the first regional government leader in Barcelona to oppose the region’s secession from Spain in a long time. Instead, Puigdemont got into a car and drove to an undisclosed location. Two police officers are reportedly said to have assisted him, and they have since been arrested. The police initiated a large-scale manhunt, establishing roadblocks.
Puigdemont confirmed on X that he never intended to turn himself in or facilitate his arrest, asserting that he was being persecuted for political reasons and that the amnesty law should apply to him as well. However, Spanish investigating judge Pablo Llarena has accused Puigdemont of embezzling public funds for his personal benefit in connection with the 2017 independence referendum, which is excluded from the amnesty.
The Catalan separatist Puigdemont apparently managed to escape back to Belgium after his appearance in Barcelona. He never had any intention of extraditing himself or facilitating his arrest, he explained on X.
Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, who is wanted on an arrest warrant, has reportedly returned to his exile in Belgium after his appearance in Barcelona. “Today I am in Waterloo after a few extremely difficult days,” the 61-year-old wrote on the X platform. He has covered “thousands of kilometers” in “a few days” and still needs some rest.
Puigdemont Speaks of “Witch Hunt”
Puigdemont did not initially comment on the question of his political future. At the same time, the politician, who is wanted on an arrest warrant in Spain, criticized the Catalan security authorities, saying they were conducting a “witch hunt” against people close to him in Catalonia.
The general secretary of Puigdemont’s Junts party, Jordi Turull, had previously said that Puigdemont was back in Belgium. The Catalan police had previously stressed that they did not know where Puigdemont was and expressed doubts about Turull’s statement.
Authorities Admit Failure
Puigdemont described the large-scale manhunt that was launched after his disappearance immediately after a short speech to supporters in the center of Barcelona on Thursday as completely disproportionate. It only burdened innocent citizens and wasted public money. He accused the Catalan police unit Mossos d’Esquadra, a kind of national police that was supposed to arrest him, of acting like the Spanish police.
The leadership of the Mossos d’Esquadra admitted at a press conference together with Catalonia’s Interior Minister Joan Ignasi Elena that they had failed to arrest Puigdemont in Barcelona. The minister stressed, however, that no one could have foreseen Puigdemont’s “inappropriate” behavior.
Police Officers Allegedly Helped with the Escape
After his speech, Puigdemont did not go to parliament as announced, where the socialist Salvador Illa was to be elected as the new Prime Minister of Catalonia. Illa is the first regional government leader in Barcelona to oppose the region’s secession from Spain in a long time. Instead, Puigdemont got into a car and drove off to an unknown destination. Two police officers are said to have helped him, and they were arrested. The police launched a large-scale manhunt with roadblocks.
Puigdemont confirmed on X that he never intended to turn himself in or facilitate his arrest because he was being persecuted for political reasons and that the amnesty law should also apply to him. However, Spanish investigating judge Pablo Llarena accuses Puigdemont of embezzling public funds for his own benefit in 2017 in connection with the independence referendum. But this is excluded from the amnesty.
Background on Carles Puigdemont
Carles Puigdemont, born December 29, 1962, in Amer, Catalonia, has been a prominent figure in the Catalan separatist movement. His tenure as the President of Catalonia from January 2016 until the Spanish government dismissed him in October 2017 marked a crucial period for the region’s quest for independence. In October 2017, Puigdemont and his administration declared independence following a controversial referendum, leading to significant political turmoil and legal repercussions.
Current Implications on Catalan Politics
Puigdemont’s latest movements have reignited the debate over Catalonia’s independence and the challenges faced by separatist leaders. The political landscape in Catalonia remains volatile, with shifts in public opinion and political alliances affecting prospects for secession. The return of Puigdemont to Belgium highlights the ongoing tensions between Catalan separatists and the Spanish government, posing questions about the future of regional autonomy.
Support and Opposition
- Support for Puigdemont: Many Catalan nationalists view Puigdemont as a symbol of resistance against perceived oppression from the Spanish state.
- Opposition: Critics argue that Puigdemont’s actions have destabilized the region and drawn unnecessary scrutiny and expenses to the Catalan government.
Impacts of Puigdemont’s Actions
| Impact | Description |
|---|---|
| Political Tensions | Increased divide among political parties regarding Catalonia’s independence. |
| Public Sentiment | Polls indicate fluctuating support for separatist movements based on Puigdemont’s actions. |
| Legal Challenges | Continued legal scrutiny of separatist leaders complicates the political climate. |
Future Prospects
As the situation evolves, the role of leaders like Puigdemont will significantly influence the direction of Catalan politics. With potential changes in government and shifts in public opinion, observers are keen to see how this case unfolds and what implications it may hold for the quest for Catalonian independence.
