Fugitive Catalan Ex-leader Puigdemont Returns To Spain And Vanishes Again
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published August 08, 2024 | 03:30 PM
Barcelona, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Aug, 2024) Carles Puigdemont, the former leader of Catalonia who fled Spain over his role in a failed 2017 independence bid for the wealthy region, returned to Spain on Thursday after seven years on the run despite a pending arrest warrant but promptly disappeared again.
Puigdemont shouted "Long live a free Catalonia!" as he climbed onto a stage in Barcelona to address thousands gathered near the Catalan regional parliament, which is set to elect a new leader later in the day.
"I have come here to remind you that we are still here," he said as many in the crowd waved red, yellow and blue Catalan independence flags.
After his brief address, Puigdemont appeared to head towards the nearby Catalan parliament but the assembly began an investiture vote to pick a new leader for the region without him being present.
It was not immediately clear where he was.
Police had set up road blocks in Barcelona and were searching cars to try to find Puigdemont, according to Spanish media reports.
Contacted by AFP, police declined to comment if such an operation was underway.
Nuria Pujol, a woman in her fifties who came to Barcelona from the Alt Penedes region to see Puigdemont, called him "a very noble person".
"(He's) the only one who believes in independence and has not stopped believing," she added.
A small group of protesters gathered nearby, waving national Spanish flags and holding signs that read "Catalonia is Spain", in a demonstration organised by far-right party Vox.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam being observed today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 11 September 202 ..
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 11 September 2024
Completion of Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, establishment of bilateral banking ..
China shows interest to invest in Pakistan’s diverse sectors
NA speaker seeks video footages of Parliament ‘s entry, exit points
Dubai Princess Sheikha Mahra launches perfume ‘Divorce’ after recent separat ..
Blocking of Illegal VPNs in Pakistan
Realme C61 Now Available in Pakistan: Industry Only 24 Month Warranty at PKR 32, ..
PCB refuses NOCs to national cricketers for Zim Afro T10 League
Pakistan Test Vice-Captain Saud Shakeel to lead Dolphin squad in Champions One-D ..
Sadia Imam reveals wedding dress burned during preparation
More Stories From World
-
'Justice not done' 50 years after Ethiopia revolution
14 minutes ago -
Pochettino appointed as new coach of USA national team
34 minutes ago -
Trump and Harris clash in high-stakes debate
34 minutes ago -
Protesters invade Mexican Senate to halt judicial reform debate
44 minutes ago -
Four dead in Thailand as typhoon flooding hits north: govt
1 hour ago -
EU business lobby head says 'enormous waste' in Chinese EV sector
1 hour ago
-
Landslide devastates Vietnam village as Yagi toll rises in SE Asia
1 hour ago -
US, UK top diplomats head to Ukraine with eye on weapons
1 hour ago -
Protesters storm Mexican Senate to disrupt judicial reform debate
1 hour ago -
Spain PM says giving asylum to Venezuela opposition figure 'gesture of humanity'
1 hour ago -
EU should 'reconsider' China EV tariffs plan: Spain PM
2 hours ago -
Hamas chief congratulates Algerian president on re-election
2 hours ago