Exiled former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, arrested in Italy at Spain's request over an independence referendum that Madrid ruled illegal, was released from prison Friday with no apparent restrictions on his liberty. Puigdemont says he is happy to be continuing his participation in the Catalan cultural event taking place in the Sardinian city of Alguer, which has "very deep roots in Catalan culture and Catalan language". Puigdemont expressed his happiness at being free and said depsite "being persecuted by Spain", he "will continue fighting". IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES