Former Catalonia leader Puigdemont returns to Spain after years of exile

Carles Puigdemont, the former leader of the Catalonia region of Spain, has returned to the country after nearly seven years of self-imposed exile.

Puigdemont, who fled Spain in 2017 after leading a failed attempt to declare Catalonia independent, appeared in Barcelona on Thursday. He was greeted by supporters and immediately went to a court to face charges of sedition and misuse of public funds.

Puigdemont's return to Spain is a significant development in the ongoing political crisis in Catalonia. The region has been divided over its independence for years, and Puigdemont's return is likely to reignite tensions between the Catalan and Spanish governments.

Puigdemont has said that he is confident he will be able to clear his name of the charges against him. He has also said that he is committed to working towards Catalan independence.

The Spanish government has said that it will not allow Catalonia to secede from Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said that he is open to dialogue with Puigdemont and other Catalan leaders, but he has also said that Spain's unity is not negotiable.

It is unclear what the future holds for Puigdemont and Catalonia. However, his return to Spain is a reminder of the deep divisions that exist within the country over the issue of Catalan independence.