independence

Ex-Catalan leader ‘eludes police pursuit and flees Spain’

According to his party, Carles Puigdemont, the exiled ex-Catalan leader, eluded an extensive police manhunt and fled Spain. On Thursday, Spanish officials started a massive search for Mr Puigdemont after he unexpectedly returned to Spain, delivered a brief speech to Barcelona crowds, and vanished. The 61-year-old is wanted in Spain on accusations related to a failed Catalan independence bid in 2017.