Carles Puigdemont: Appearance and Escape in Catalonia
This article originally appeared on GatewayHispanic.com and was republished with permission.
The recent reappearance in Spain of Carles Puigdemont, former leader of the Generalitat of Catalonia and a key figure in the Catalan independence movement, has revived the debate about the independence of Catalonia and the complicated relationship of this autonomous community with the Spanish central government.
Barcelona police closed the city center following the return of Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont to Spain after almost seven years in exile.
Pro-independence riots broke out outside the local parliament, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse protesters.
Despite an arrest warrant, Puigdemont appeared before a crowd of supporters.
