The Spanish judge Pablo Llarena, who issued Carles Puigdemont's arrest warrant, is demanding explanations from the police and the interior department regarding the separatist leader's disappearance.
The general secretary of Puigdemont's party Junts, Jordi Turell, stated on Friday morning on Catalan radio that the separatist leader is back in Waterloo, Belgium, where he resides, reports the news agency Ansa. He also said that he had dinner with Puigdemont in Barcelona on Tuesday evening, and thus must have been in the country long before he was seen in public.
Puigdemont himself later confirmed on X that he is back in Waterloo, Belgium, after "some extremely difficult days".
On Thursday, Puigdemont appeared in Barcelona ahead of the election of a new leader in the regional parliament. This was after seven years in exile in Belgium and with an ongoing national arrest warrant.
He was met with cheers from his supporters, but quickly disappeared after his speech.
The arrival was announced and the regional police, known as Los Mossos, were responsible for the operation to arrest him during his visit. Now, two police officers are suspected of having helped him escape.
