The Great Disappearance: Catalan Leader Puigdemont's Dramatic Return and Escape

Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont returned to Spain for the first time since 2017, facing an arrest warrant. Appearing at a rally in Barcelona, he quickly vanished, eluding authorities. The regional police suspect he escaped in a car belonging to an officer. Efforts to apprehend him have been unsuccessful.

Carles Puigdemont, the Catalan separatist leader, made a sensational return to Spain on Thursday, only to vanish again in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with authorities.

The 61-year-old, who faces an arrest warrant for alleged embezzlement related to a 2017 illegal independence referendum, appeared at a rally in Barcelona. Dressed in a blue jacket, tie, and trainers, he briefly addressed a crowd of around 10,000 supporters before disappearing from view.

Authorities suspect Puigdemont escaped in a white car owned by a police officer, triggering a series of failed roadblocks and searches by the Mossos d'Esquadra, the regional police. As of Thursday evening, Puigdemont's whereabouts remain unknown.

(With inputs from agencies.)