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Carles Puigdemont had told a crowd of thousands of followers in the Catalan capital he aimed to revive the independence drive

Police hunt Carles Puigdemont after return to Spain

Former Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont has defied an arrest warrant to appear at a rally in Barcelona after seven years of self-imposed exile, before fleeing the scene with the help of a local police officer.

World • 08 Aug 24

The 58-year-old had been in exile in Belgium since 2017

Carles Puigdemont to be released after arrest in Italy

Exiled former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, who was arrested in Sardinia at Spain's request, will be freed while he challenges his extradition but must stay on the island, his lawyer said on Friday.

World • 24 Sep 21

Carles Puigdemont pictured speaking at Trinity College in Dublin earlier this year

Puigdemont's lawyers vow to fight extradition to Spain

Lawyers for former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont have vowed to fight Spain's efforts to extradite him from Belgium on charges of sedition and misuse of public funds.

Europe • 29 Oct 19

The trial of the 12 separatist leaders stems from their role in Catalonia's failed 2017 independence bid

Trial of Catalan separatist leaders nears end

The trial of 12 Catalan separatist leaders over their role in Catalonia's failed 2017 independence bid is due to wrap up tomorrow after four months of hearings

World • 11 Jun 19

Carles Puigdemont has been elected to the European parliament

Catalan separatist leaders elected MEPs

Catalonia's former separatist president Carles Puigdemont, who fled Spain in 2017 after a failed secession bid, and his ex-deputy Oriol Junqueras, currently in jail, have been elected to the European Parliament.

Europe • 27 May 19

The 12 people on trial include former Catalan government officials

Explainer: Catalan leaders on trial over referendum

Twelve former Catalan leaders have gone on trial at Spain's Supreme Court for their role in a failed 2017 bid to break away from Spain.

Europe • 12 Feb 19

Separatist groups have called a series of protests in Catalonia and in Madrid to coincide with the trial

Trial of Catalan leaders over independence bid begins

Twelve Catalan politicians have gone on trial for their role in Catalonia's failed 2017 independence bid, putting the spotlight back on Spain's biggest political crisis in decades which could make it flare once again.

Europe • 12 Feb 19

Carles Puigdemont was in Dublin for a debate on independence, nationalism and democracy at Trinity College

Puigdemont tells Dublin audience he hopes to be 'free'

The man who led Catalonia's push for independence from Spain in October 2017 says he hopes to return home one day as a "free man", and remains committed to working towards full autonomy for the region.

Europe • 29 Jan 19

The turnout was a response to calls to show continued support for independence

Crowds fill Barcelona to support independence call

Around one million people have filled central Barcelona to celebrate Catalonia's commemorative day and boost a bid for independence which has left deep divisions almost a year after it brought Spain to a constitutional crisis.

Catalonia • 11 Sep 18

Carles Puigdemont's regional government held an independence vote last year in defiance of a Spanish court that had ruled it illegal

Arrest warrant for ex-Catalan leader Puigdemont dropped

Spain's Supreme Court has dropped a European arrest warrant for former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, after Germany refused to extradite him to face a charge of rebellion for declaring Catalonia an independent state.

Spain • 20 Jul 18

Carles Puigdemont was arrested after entering Germany last month on a Spanish-issued arrest warrant

Extradition of Puigdemont on rebellion charge rejected

A German court has rejected an extradition request for Catalonia's former leader Carles Puigdemont on the charge of rebellion for his role in the campaign for the region's independence.

Spain • 06 Apr 18

Carles Puigdemont fled Spain after his regional administration was dismissed

German prosecutors file for extradition of Puigdemont

German prosecutors have filed a request to a regional court for the extradition of former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont to Spain, where he faces charges of rebellion over the region's campaign for independence.

World • 03 Apr 18

Carles Puigdemont was arrested by German police yesterday

Ex-Catalan leader to appear in German court

A German court has said it was likely to take several days to decide whether to extradite former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont to Spain to face rebellion charges over the region's campaign for independence.

World • 26 Mar 18

Mr Puigdemont faces up to 25 years in prison if he returns to Spain

Former Catalan leader avoids arrest in Finland

Facing arrest by Finnish authorities acting on an international warrant issued by Spain, former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has left Finland and and is understood to be travelling to Belgium.

Spain • 24 Mar 18

Carles Puigdemont was chosen as candidate to lead Catalonia again, with the regional parliament set to vote on the issue on Tuesday

Spanish court blocks Puigdemont's return to power

Spain's constitutional court has announced it is blocking former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont from returning to power in the region while he remains the subject of legal action.

Europe • 28 Jan 18

Carles Puigdemont is living in Brussels to avoid arrest

Spain takes steps to prevent Puigdemont re-election

The Spanish government has taken steps to prevent the re-election of Catalonia's sacked leader Carles Puigdemont as head of the region in a renewed effort to crack down on the independence movement.

Europe • 25 Jan 18

Carles Puigdemont calls on Madrid to find political solution for Catalonia

Former Catalan leader vows to form new government

Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has vowed to form a new government despite what he described as, "threats" from the central government in Madrid.

Catalonia • 22 Jan 18

Uncertainty prevails for Catalans and its self-exiled separatist leader Carles Puigdemont

What next for Catalonia and would-be leader Puigdemont?

Catalonia's new parliament meets for the first time today, a step towards choosing a president for Spain's wealthiest region, a daunting challenge when the top candidate has fled abroad and other potentials are in jail.

Catalonia • 19 Feb 18

Carles Puigdemont faces arrest and possibly decades in jail if he returns to Spain

Catalan MPs elect separatist as parliamentary speaker

Catalan MPs have elected a separatist as parliamentary speaker, a first step in a plan by pro-independence deputies to get regional leader Carles Puigdemont, in self-exile in Belgium, back into power.

Catalonia • 17 Jan 18

Mr Puigdemont, who is in exile in Brussels, would be a "hologram president" according to pro-union parties

Catalan separatist parties back Puigdemont as leader

The two main pro-independence parties in Catalonia have agreed to back former leader Carles Puigdemont as their candidate to head the region, raising the likelihood of a renewed push this year for a split from Spain.

Catalonia • 10 Jan 18

Carles Puigdemont insists he is still Catalonia's 'legitimate' leader

Puigdemont demands Madrid reinstate his government

Ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has demanded Madrid reinstate his regional government

Catalonia • 31 Dec 17

Separatist leader Carles Puigdemont is currently in self-imposed exile in Brussels

Puigdemont wants to return to Catalonia from exile

Catalonia's separatist leader, Carles Puigdemont, has called on Spain's government to allow him to return home from exile in time for the opening session of the Catalan parliament so that he can become the region's next president.

News • 24 Dec 17

Carles Puigdemont faces arrest if he returns to Spain from Brussels

What next for Puigdemont and Catalonia?

World • 22 Dec 17

Speaking at a news conference, Mr Rajoy said he would make an effort to hold talks with the new Catalan government

Rajoy rules out national election after Catalan vote

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has ruled out calling a national election after Catalan pro-independence parties won a majority in a regional vote, thwarting his bid to resolve the country's biggest political crisis in decades.

News • 22 Dec 17

A sea of around 45,000 pro-Catalonia protesters demonstrated in Brussels

45,000 pro-Catalan protesters march in Brussels

Nearly 50,000 people have marched through Brussels' European quarter in support of Catalan independence and the region's president.

World • 07 Dec 17