Spain, Madrid: On Friday, a leading Spanish judge demanded explanations from police and government officials regarding how fugitive Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont managed to return to Spain despite an active arrest warrant, only to disappear once more.

Supreme Court Judge Pablo Llarena, who had issued the arrest warrant for Puigdemont, specifically sought answers from Barcelona's police.

Carles Puigdemont, who had escaped Spain following a failed attempt to achieve independence for Catalonia in 2017, made a dramatic return to the country on Thursday  He spoke to a large crowd at the Catalan regional parliament in Barcelona before vanishing into the crowd.

Catalonia's regional police announced they had detained two of their officers, including one who owned the car used by Puigdemont to leave the scene.

The police force, which has initiated a manhunt for the 61-year-old Puigdemont, denied any collusion with his associates and claimed the officers intended to arrest him at the most opportune time to avoid public disorder.

Judge Llarena also requested details from the interior ministry about their plan to arrest Puigdemont at the border and the orders issued for his capture after his escape, according to documents released by the Supreme Court.

On Friday, Puigdemont's lawyer revealed that he had fled abroad again, though specific details were not provided.