Summary of the day
Fugitive former Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont returned to Spain after seven years in self-imposed exile.
He gave a short speech to a large crowd of supporters in Barcelona, telling the crowd of mainly older supporters: “I’ve come here today to remind you that we’re still here. We don’t have the right to give in, the right to self-determination belongs to the people.”
Puigdemont also said: “I don’t know when I’ll see you again but, whatever happens, when we see each other again we can once again shout out Viva! Free Catalonia!”
After the public speech, Puigdemont walked surrounded by the crowd and then disappeared.
A large police operation was launched to find him, with roadblocks set up and traffic disrupted in the region.
The driver of the car in which he escaped – an officer in the Mossos d’Esquadra, the Catalan police – was arrested amid serious questions for the force, which was at the rally in strength.
The conservative People’s party leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has called today’s saga “an unbearable humiliation.” He also said “it’s painful to watch this madness live - a madness for which Pedro Sánchez is chiefly responsible.”
The far right Vox’s Santiago Abascal referred to today’s events as “the destruction of the state beamed live on Spanish television.”
A spokesperson for the Mossos has confirmed that Operación Jaula remains under way.
He also stressed that no arrest warrant had been issued for Jordi Turull, saying the force was currently looking into “any potential offences” committed in relation to Puigdemont’s escape.
