(25 Mar 2018) Catalan residents of Barcelona reacted with surprise to the news that the former leader of Catalonia's separatist movement was arrested earlier Sunday.
Carles Puigdemont was stopped by German police as he entered the country from Denmark.
He was returning from a visit to Finland and on his way back to Belgium, where he has been living since fleeing Spain in October following an illegal and unsuccessful declaration of independence by his regional government.
Supporters of the independence movement in Barcelona said they see their leader's arrest as a violation of their political rights.
Catalan Yolanda Garcia said she believed the arrest was "an intrusion" by the central Spanish government in Madrid, and an attempt to humiliate Catalans.
Catalan entrepreneur Miquel Coca agreed that the arrest will only add fuel to fire and light up the independence movement further.
A march in defence of Puigdemont has been scheduled in Barcelona for Sunday afternoon with many expected to attend.

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