Puigdemont Evades Police Manhunt in Barcelona

Fugitive Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont briefly appeared in Barcelona on Thursday, delivering a speech before evading a large police manhunt and fleeing Spain. Despite a massive police operation, Puigdemont managed to escape with the assistance of public officials and two Mossos d'Esquadra officers, who have since been arrested. Puigdemont's lawyer confirmed that he is now outside Spain, likely back in Belgium or potentially in southern France. The incident has sparked criticism of the Catalan police's handling of the situation, with calls for the National Police Force and Civil Guard to take over the investigation. Puigdemont, wanted on charges related to Catalonia's 2017 independence bid, continues to defy arrest warrants and plans to address the public soon.