Eduard Sallent, the former highest-ranking officer of the Catalan police Mossos d'Esquadra, has decided to leave the corps. The commissioner, who was removed from command after the failed attempt to arrest former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, applied for unpaid leave to depart the force. Reports of his departure emerged on Thursday, March 6, in several Spanish newspapers, with newer sources specifying that he submitted a request for a leave of absence. Sallent's decision marks another epilogue in the controversial operation from September of last year, which shook Catalan services and politics.

Departure of Former Mossos Chief

Eduard Sallent, former chief commissioner of the Catalan police Mossos d'Esquadra, is leaving the police corps. According to the latest information from March 6, he has officially submitted a request for unpaid leave, which will enable his departure.

Background: Failed Arrest of Puigdemont

The direct cause of Sallent's removal from the position of operational head in September 2025 was the failed attempt to detain former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, who was in Belgium, based on a European arrest warrant.

Consequences and Controversies

The operation triggered a serious political and institutional crisis in Catalonia, leading to the resignation of the then head of Mossos, Josep Lluís Trapero, and a thorough reform of the command structure within the Catalan police by the regional government.

Eduard Sallent, former chief commissioner and ex-operational head of the Catalan police Mossos d'Esquadra, has decided to leave the force. As reported by Spanish media on March 6, 2026, Sallent submitted a request for unpaid leave (excedencia), which constitutes a formal path to leaving the corps. This decision is the final chapter in the career of the officer who was removed from command in September 2025 following the high-profile and failed attempt to arrest the leader of Catalan independents, Carles Puigdemont. The operation that led to Sallent's dismissal involved executing a European arrest warrant issued by a Spanish court against Puigdemont. The warrant was related to the former Catalan president's role in organizing an illegal independence referendum in 2017. Mossos d'Esquadra, as the autonomous police of Catalonia, was tasked with carrying out the arrest when Puigdemont was in Belgium. The action ended in failure, sparking a political storm. The unsuccessful mission not only compromised Catalan services internationally but also exacerbated the conflict between the central government in Madrid and the regional authorities in Barcelona. The consequences were immediate and affected the highest levels of command. Mossos d'Esquadra, established in the 18th century and re-established in 1983 after General Franco's death, are the autonomous police of Catalonia, subordinate to the local government of the Generalitat. Their role and loyalty have often been a source of tension between Barcelona and Madrid, especially since the rise of independence sentiments in the second decade of the 21st century. After the operation's failure, the then head of the entire Mossos d'Esquadra, Commissioner Josep Lluís Trapero, was also forced to resign. The Catalan government, under the leadership of President Pere Aragonès, subsequently carried out a deep reorganization of the police command structures, appointing a new chief. Eduard Sallent, who directly supervised the failed action, was removed from his position as operational head and reassigned to other duties. His current decision to apply for a leave of absence appears to be the logical finale of this process, ending his service in a force whose image and operational capacity were severely damaged under his leadership. Spanish media have not speculated about his future professional plans.

Mentioned People

  • Eduard Sallent — Former chief commissioner and ex-operational head of the Catalan police Mossos d'Esquadra, who is leaving the force after the failed arrest operation.
  • Carles Puigdemont — Former President of Catalonia, leader of the independence movement, against whom a European arrest warrant was issued for organizing an illegal referendum in 2017.
  • Josep Lluís Trapero — Former head of the Catalan police Mossos d'Esquadra, who resigned from his position after the failed operation to arrest Puigdemont.
  • Pere Aragonès — President of the regional government of Catalonia (Generalitat), who oversaw the reorganization of Mossos d'Esquadra after the crisis.