Dramatic Escape: Carles Puigdemont Evades Arrest

Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont used disguises and subterfuge to evade an arrest warrant in Barcelona. Despite police efforts, he escaped after addressing supporters. Opponents and the judiciary are angry, while Puigdemont's party questions its support for the government. Political tensions in Spain are escalating.

Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont used disguises and subterfuge to evade an arrest warrant in Barcelona, police reported on Friday. Despite police efforts to detain him, Puigdemont managed to escape after addressing a rally of supporters, sparking outrage among opposition politicians and the judiciary.

Eduard Sallent, commissioner of the Catalan regional police, explained that officers avoided arresting Puigdemont during the rally to prevent a public confrontation. However, Puigdemont went backstage, changed his appearance, and left in a car with the help of supporters who formed a human barrier. The police fell short of capturing him by mere meters.

Puigdemont's party announced he is headed back to Belgium, but police chief Sallent expressed skepticism, suggesting Puigdemont might still be in Spain. His dramatic escape has led to political recriminations and raised questions about the stability of the Spanish government, as opposition parties call for the sacking of key ministers.