There is uncertainty over the whereabouts of fugitive Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont. His Junts per Catalunya party announced this morning that he would return to Belgium. The Catalan police chief has not confirmed the news, telling a news conference that he “cannot rule out” that Puigdemont is still in Barcelona.

Puigdemont appeared in Barcelona at around 9 a.m. yesterday, accompanied by Josep Rull, the president of the Catalan parliament. He was there after seven years of exile and gave a short speech to around 3,500 supporters. He spoke of his desire for a “free and independent Catalonia.” He then got into a waiting car and disappeared again.

Police in Catalonia launched a manhunt to find him. Hundreds of police were deployed and roads were closed for multiple police checks. However, Puigdemont managed to evade police. Two police officers were arrested on suspicion of aiding his escape.

According to Catalan police, a car with a Dutch license plate was driving behind the getaway car. This can also be seen in the photos. It is not clear whether this car was related to Puigdemont’s trip.

Puigdemont’s party reported today via Catalan radio station RAC1 that he has been in Barcelona since Tuesday, two days before his short speech. His exact location has not been disclosed. Puigdemont’s home is in Waterloo, Belgium. Unlike his party, he has not announced that he will remain there.

Catalan police said at the press conference that they had not received any information that Puigdemont was already in Belgium, and that “we do not trust what politicians say about his trip.”

Catalan activist Luis Llach said on social media yesterday that he was “safe”, claiming to be from Puigdemont himself. At the time, it was not clear whether that was actually true.

Puigdemont is wanted by Spain’s Supreme Court on suspicion of, among other things, embezzlement along with other independence leaders. Spain has an amnesty law that allows Catalan separatists who played a role in the 2017 independence referendum to be granted amnesty. Because of the embezzlement allegations, this does not apply to Puigdemont, who has lived in Belgium for years.

Puigdemont with his speech in Barcelona: