Wanted Catalan Separatist Leader Evades Police on 1st Return to Barcelona Since 2017

Carles Puigdemont initially lived in Belgium after leaving Spain seven years ago, but his most recent whereabouts were unknown until this public appearance.

Catalonia's exiled separatist leader Carles Puigdemont arrives with Junts per Catalunya's General Secretary Jordi Turull (L) as his hardline separatist JxCAT party has scheduled a welcome ceremony, ahead of an investiture vote at the Parliament of Catalonia, in Barcelona, on Aug. 8, 2024. Manaure Quintero/AFP via Getty Images

Spanish police launched a manhunt Aug. 8 for ex-Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont, who returned to Barcelona after seven years living in exile.

Puigdemont had previously announced his intention to be in Spain on this day, when Catalonia’s Parliament swears in a new president, despite an outstanding arrest warrant on him.