Carles Puigdemont, the prominent Catalan separatist leader has once again evaded Spanish authorities and is now believed to be either in France or Belgium, according to his lawyer.
Simon Bekaert, Puigdemont’s Belgian lawyer, confirmed on Friday that the exiled leader had informed him he was “back at work,” indicating that Puigdemont is either in his office in southern France or in his residence in Waterloo, Brussels. This development comes after Puigdemont made a surprise appearance in Barcelona on Thursday, where he delivered a speech before disappearing from public view.
Spanish police were reportedly on high alert during Puigdemont’s visit, but the separatist leader managed to slip away, leaving his current whereabouts a matter of speculation. Bekaert’s statement suggests that Puigdemont has resumed his activities either in France, where he has maintained an office, or in Belgium, where he has resided since fleeing Spain in 2017 to avoid arrest.
The Spanish government has not yet commented on Puigdemont’s latest evasion, but his continued ability to move freely between countries despite being wanted by Spain is likely to fuel further political controversy. Puigdemont remains a polarizing figure in both Catalonia and Spain, with his actions continuing to impact the region’s political landscape.
Puigdemont’s reappearance and subsequent evasion of Spanish police highlight the ongoing complexities of the Catalan independence movement, as well as the challenges faced by the Spanish government in addressing the separatist issue. The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected in the coming days.