Leader of the separatist movement in Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, arrived in Belgium Friday and managed to evade capture by Spanish authorities. Puigdemont had spoken at a demonstration in Barcelona before leaving, even though he had a warrant issued for his detention. General secretary of Junts per Catalunya, a pro-independence group, Jordi Turull said he was not sure Puigdemont’s present whereabouts were but noted the leader had been living in Waterloo, Belgium, since his abortive effort to secede the territory in 2017.
Conservative opponents have become frustrated about Puigdemont’s short visit back home and escape. These rivals previously disagreed with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s amnesty agreement for separatists, meant to win their support for his minority administration.
