Spain Hunts Puigdemont After Rally Speech

Spanish authorities have initiated a manhunt for Carles Puigdemont, the former leader of Catalonia, following his unexpected appearance at a rally in Barcelona on August 8. Puigdemont, who has been living in exile in Brussels since fleeing Spain in 2017, addressed supporters near the Catalan Parliament before disappearing from the scene. Police set up roadblocks in the city and surrounding areas, but reports suggest he may have received assistance from a police officer to evade capture. Puigdemont's return to Spain comes seven years after he was charged with rebellion, sedition, and misuse of public funds in connection with Catalonia's declaration of independence. During the rally, he emphasized the resilience of the nationalist movement, asserting that "holding a referendum is not a crime and never will be." His presence at the public event, attended by hundreds of police officers, raised questions about how he managed to escape despite the heavy police presence. Political allies of Puigdemont criticized the police response, claiming it reflected the central government's influence. Aleix Sarri, a former adviser to Puigdemont, condemned the police actions, stating that the extensive police deployment to arrest him was undemocratic. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the Catalan independence movement and the Spanish government. In a related context, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez previously granted pardons to nine separatists imprisoned for their roles in the independence movement, a move that has drawn criticism from various political factions. The pardons aimed to mend relations between Spain and Catalonia but have failed to satisfy either side of the political spectrum.