Carles Puigdemont ‘eludes police manhunt and flees Spain’

For much of the past several years Mr Puigdemont has lived in Brussels. He’s spent nearly seven years in exile.

In an interview with RAC1 radio station, Mr Turull said he knew the ex-Catalan leader was in Brussels but could not confirm whether he had made it back to his home in the Waterloo municipality.

Catalan’s police, known as Mossos d’Esquadra, are facing strong scrutiny from a Spanish Supreme Court judge, who has demanded an explanation as to why Mr Puigdemont was able to get away.

Mr Puigdemont’s disruptive appearance near the Catalan parliament in Barcelona was moments before the investiture of Socialist Salvador Illa as the new Catalan president.