Carles Puigdemont, ex-Catalan leader, returns to Spain after nearly 7 years as a fugitive
Associated PressAug 01
Catalan Separatist Returns to Spain, Sparking Police Manhunt
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The Facts
Ex-Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont returned to Spain for the first time since 2017 despite an outstanding arrest warrant against him, appearing in Barcelona before fleeing the scene. Local police are still searching for the fugitive who is wanted for organizing an independence referendum in Catalonia.
After seven years in self-imposed exile, Puigdemont announced earlier this week that he would be at the Catalan parliament in Barcelona for Thursday’s investiture of Catalonia’s new leader Salvador Illa. He delivered a short speech to a crowd of supporters at the Arc de Triomf before disappearing.
The Spin
Narrative A
Carles Puigdemont courageously returned to Spain despite the illegitimate and fascistic arrest warrant against him. Numerous international and European courts have denounced Spain’s legal action against Puigdemont and other Catalan nationalists, yet the country’s authoritarian leaders still target patriots. Organizing a vote for independence is not a crime, and the Spanish government must stop its persecution of Puigdemont and other freedom fighters.
Narrative B
Puigdemont is a treasonous criminal who tried to illegally separate Catalonia from Spain, and he must be brought to justice. While some politicians may try to make a deal with traitors for political gain, Spanish patriots will not allow subversive opportunists to fracture the nation. Catalonia is an integral part of Spain, yet Puigdemont decided to disgrace his countrymen. This cannot stand.