By Alyssa McMurtry
OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont on Thursday morning made his first public appearance in Barcelona since he fled Spain in 2017, speaking at a public rally.
Catalan police had the order to arrest him immediately, but Puigdemont managed to speak for several minutes outside of the Catalan parliament.
After the rally, he disappeared.
According to Spanish broadcaster RTVE, he has not been arrested.
“I’ve come here to remind you that we are still here. The right of self-determination belongs to the people – no one has the right to renounce the right of Catalonia to decide its future,” he said during his brief speech before he hurried off the stage.
Since leading the failed 2017 independence push for Catalonia to break away from Spain, he has been wanted by the Spanish justice system.
His return coincided with the scheduled swearing-in ceremony of Socialist Party leader Salvador Illa as the new president of Catalonia.
Puigdemont also ran in the election, but the separatists lost their majority for the first time in several years.
He won a seat, but the swearing-in ceremony began without him.
- Warrant still active
Tension is high after members of his party, Junts Per Catalunya, told RTVE that he would appear in parliament to take his seat.
How he could get around the building's heavy security, however, remains uncertain.
Police have also deployed forces around Barcelona in case he tries to flee, El Pais reported.
Puigdemont already managed to reach downtown Barcelona after crossing the border from France, despite heavy police deployment.
Earlier this year, the Spanish government passed an amnesty law which was set to clear the way for his return to Spain.
However, the Supreme Court ruled that the charge of embezzlement could not be forgiven, so an arrest warrant remained active.
“Today, many want to celebrate my arrest. They even celebrate disregarding the [amnesty] law passed by Spain’s parliament. This mistake will drag Spain’s credibility to the ground again,” he said.