Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont risks arrest with bid to sneak back into Spain

Carles Puigdemont plans to sneak back into Spain — and into the Catalan parliament — even though he risks almost certain arrest.

In an audacious move, Puigdemont wants to make the journey from the French border to Barcelona by Thursday in a last-ditch attempt to remain leader of the Catalan separatist movement. His problem: If he’s spotted by the police, he’ll be detained immediately.

“Puigdemont can’t just sneak in through a backdoor or through the kitchen … Maybe he’ll try to get smuggled in like Cleopatra in a carpet: With him, anything is possible,” said an official from the outgoing Catalan government who was granted anonymity in order to discuss the sensitive matter.