Carles Puigdemont

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Catalan Separatist Leader Returns, Speaks, Slips Police

Cops now searching for fugitive Carles Puigdemont around Barcelona

(Newser) - A former leader of Spain's autonomous region Catalonia, who illegally declared independence for the region in 2017, has made a stunning return from self-imposed exile. Carles Puigdemont appeared at a rally near the Catalan parliament in Barcelona on Thursday morning despite facing an outstanding arrest warrant. The AP reports...

Catalan Separatist Leader Arrested on Arrival in Italy

Carlos Puigdemont could be extradited to Spain

(Newser) - A former Catalan leader sought by Spain for a failed 2017 secession bid is expected to appear at an extradition hearing Friday after being detained in Sardinia, an Italian island with strong Catalan cultural roots and its own independence movement. Italian police on Thursday night transferred Carles Puigdemont to a...

Ousted Catalan President Busted in Germany

Carles Puigdemont is again wanted in Spain after arrest warrant reactivated

(Newser) - Carles Puigdemont, the former president of Catalonia, has been detained by German police after crossing the border from Denmark, reports the BBC . German police were acting on a European arrest warrant; Puigdemont is wanted in Spain on charges of sedition and rebellion that could see him imprisoned for 30 years....

Catalan 5 Out of Jail, Must Stay in Belgium

Ousted leader Carles Puigdemont criticizes 'unjust' actions by Spain

(Newser) - Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four close allies have been conditionally released by Belgian authorities but cannot leave Belgium without prior consent. The five voluntarily turned themselves in to authorities on Sunday, days after Spain had issued a European arrest warrant. A statement from the prosecutor's office says...

Catalonia's Ousted Prez Turns Self In

Carles Puigdemont, 4 other former officials surrender to Belgian authorities

(Newser) - Carles Puigdemont, the former leader of Catalonia wanted on an arrest warrant issued by Spain, has turned himself in to Belgian authorities, reports the BBC . He was accompanied by four other former high-ranking officials who were also ousted after Spain imposed direct rule on the region; all were wanted on...

Ousted Catalan Leader Fled Spain, Now Faces Arrest Abroad

Spain issues international arrest warrant for Carles Puigdemont, aides

(Newser) - A Spanish judge issued an international arrest warrant on Friday for former members of the Catalan Cabinet who were last seen in Brussels, including the ousted separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, who said he was prepared to run for his old job even while battling extradition in Belgium. The AP reports...

Catalan Leaders in Crosshairs After Independence Push

Spain is looking to bring Carles Puigdemont, others up on rebellion, sedition, embezzlement charges

(Newser) - Spain's state prosecutor says it's seeking charges of rebellion, sedition, and embezzlement for members of the ousted Catalan Cabinet and the governing body of the regional parliament that allowed a vote to declare independence last week. The crimes can be punished, respectively, with up to 30, 15, and...

In Spain, a Wave of Pro-Unionists Rally

As Madrid moves to impose order after declaration of Catalan independence

(Newser) - Tens of thousands of demonstrators, many carrying Spanish and official "senyera" Catalan flags, have gathered on a central Barcelona boulevard in a call for Spain's unity. The atmosphere was festive, reports the AP , as many cheered politicians and central government officials who joined the march. Some chanted "...

Spain Takes Unprecedented Step to Rein In Catalonia

Madrid plans to invoke a never-before-used constitutional clause to suspend autonomy

(Newser) - Spain is dusting off a never-before-used emergency clause in its constitution in a bid to end the push for independence in Catalonia. How things will turn out remains very much up in the air. Specifically, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says he is beginning the process to invoke Article 155...

Spain Wanted a Yes or No From Catalonia, Got a Letter

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont does provide the answer Spain sought

(Newser) - A Monday morning deadline came and went without the president of the Catalonia region clarifying whether he had declared independence from Spain. The Spanish government says he now has until Thursday to either say he didn't declare independence or to show he's taking action to cancel the declaration...

Spain Rejects Catalonia's Declaration of Independence

Regional leader says implementation will be delayed

(Newser) - Catalan separatists on Tuesday signed what they called a declaration of independence from Spain to cheers and applause in the regional parliament—but Catalonia's president said he would delay implementing it for several weeks to give dialogue a chance. Spain, however, called an emergency Cabinet meeting for Wednesday morning...

Thousands Rally in Barcelona— Against Secession

As Spanish PM says he'll stop separatists by any legal means necessary

(Newser) - Thousands of people are rallying Sunday in downtown Barcelona to protest the Catalan government's push for secession from the rest of Spain. Many in the crowd gathered in a central square carried Spanish and Catalan flags. Some chanted "Don't be fooled, Catalonia is Spain" and called for...

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