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Catalan government: '465 injured by Spanish police violence' during referendum - live Catalan government: '465 injured by Spanish police violence' during referendum - live
(35 minutes later)
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The Foreign Office spokesperson has commented on today’s events in Catalonia.
The referendum is a matter for the Spanish government and people. We want to see Spanish law and the Spanish constitution respected and the rule of law upheld. Spain is a close ally and a good friend, whose strength and unity matters to us.
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Guy Verhofstadt makes first condemnation by a senior EU politician
I don’t want to interfere in the domestic issues of Spain but I absolutely condemn what happened today in Catalonia.
On one hand, the separatist parties went forward with a so-called referendum that was forbidden by the Constitutional Court, knowing all too well that only a minority would participate as 60 % of the Catalans are against separation.
And on the other hand - even when based on court decisions - the use of disproportionate violence to stop this.
In the European Union we try to find solutions through political dialogue and with respect for the constitutional order as enshrined in the Treaties, especially in art. 4.
It’s high time for de-escalation. Only a negotiated solution in which all political parties, including the opposition in the Catalan Parliament, are involved and with respect for the Constitutional and legal order of the country, is the way forward.
It's high time for de-escalation. Only a negotiated solution is the way forward. Read my full statement on the #CatalanReferendum here pic.twitter.com/v1OMgFJFIj
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Early evening summary
Mattha Busby
According to the Catalan health ministry, 465 people have been injured as Catalans vote in an “illegal” referendum on the region’s independence. The two most seriously injured are in hospitals in Barcelona.
Although advocates stressed the right to political self-determination, the vote was banned by Spain’s constitutional court and millions of ballot papers were confiscated before the vote.
Local and national authorities say 336 voting centres, of more than 2,000, across the region have been closed by police.
Voting has been marred by a brutal police crackdown. Videos show police hitting people in the crowd with batons while voters hold up their hands, police dragging voters from polling stations by their hair, and Spanish police attacking Catalan firefighters.
The police action has been mostly confined to Barcelona, the Catalonian capital. There has been no police presence in the majority of voting stations throughout the region.
Polls have shown 70% of Catalans want to be able to vote in a referendum but they are more evenly divided when it comes to independence.
There have been several calls for the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, to resign over the police response from Catalan politicians and opposition MPs.
Human Rights Watch has released a statement calling on Spanish authorities to respect citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and refrain from using excessive force.
The Labour party has condemned the police violence. Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, said: “It is unacceptable for the Spanish authorities to overreact to today’s events through aggressive police action and the forcible closure of polling stations.”
The European Union is yet to make an official comment.
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A lot has happened in Catalonia today. If you want to read the most up to date version of events, here is the latest from the Guardian’s Sam Jones and Stephen Burgen.
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has spoken out against the violence in Catalonia for a second time today.Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has spoken out against the violence in Catalonia for a second time today.
He has asked Theresa May to speak to Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy about the crisis and try to end the police crackdown. He has asked Theresa May to speak to the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, about the crisis and try to end the police crackdown.
I urge @Theresa_May to appeal directly to Rajoy to end police violence in Catalonia & find political solution to this constitutional crisis.I urge @Theresa_May to appeal directly to Rajoy to end police violence in Catalonia & find political solution to this constitutional crisis.
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The Catalan health ministry has provided more details on the 465 people injured by police violence: 216 were hurt in Barcelona, 80 in Girona, 64 in Lleida, 53 in Terres de l’Ebre, 27 in Catalunya central and 25 in Tarragona.The Catalan health ministry has provided more details on the 465 people injured by police violence: 216 were hurt in Barcelona, 80 in Girona, 64 in Lleida, 53 in Terres de l’Ebre, 27 in Catalunya central and 25 in Tarragona.
The two most seriously injured are in hospitals in Barcelona.The two most seriously injured are in hospitals in Barcelona.
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Both the Spanish authorities and Catalan police have released further details on the number of polling stations they have closed down today. The Spanish authorities and Catalan police have released further details on the number of polling stations they have closed down today.
Spanish national police have closed down 46 in total (27 in Barcelona, six in Tarragona, six in Girona and seven in Lleida).Spanish national police have closed down 46 in total (27 in Barcelona, six in Tarragona, six in Girona and seven in Lleida).
The Guardia Civil have closed another 46 (14 in Barcelona, 12 in Tarragona, eight in Girona and 12 in Lleida).The Guardia Civil have closed another 46 (14 in Barcelona, 12 in Tarragona, eight in Girona and 12 in Lleida).
Catalan police, the Mossos, say they have closed 244 polling stations across Catalonia.Catalan police, the Mossos, say they have closed 244 polling stations across Catalonia.
In total, 336 polling stations have been closed down by local and national authorities.In total, 336 polling stations have been closed down by local and national authorities.
To put these numbers in context, the Catalan government says more than 2,000 polling stations were set up across the province for the referendum. The majority remain open.To put these numbers in context, the Catalan government says more than 2,000 polling stations were set up across the province for the referendum. The majority remain open.
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The tension between Spanish police forces continues in Catalonia. In Sant Joan de Vilatorrada, a municipality about 30 miles from Barcelona, Guardia Civil officers and Mossos agents were recorded pushing each other as the Guardia Civil raided a polling station.The tension between Spanish police forces continues in Catalonia. In Sant Joan de Vilatorrada, a municipality about 30 miles from Barcelona, Guardia Civil officers and Mossos agents were recorded pushing each other as the Guardia Civil raided a polling station.
Un @guardiacivil agredeix amb un cop de porra a un @mossos a Sant Joan de Vilatorrada quan anava a demanar explicacions als agents. pic.twitter.com/8WcrE4fZ3IUn @guardiacivil agredeix amb un cop de porra a un @mossos a Sant Joan de Vilatorrada quan anava a demanar explicacions als agents. pic.twitter.com/8WcrE4fZ3I
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The Labour party has released a statement on the events in Catalonia.The Labour party has released a statement on the events in Catalonia.
Emily Thornberry MP, Labour’s shadow foreign secretary, said: Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, said:
Police violence in Catalonia today is shocking, and the Spanish government should take action to end it now. While we believe disputes over sovereignty should be resolved in accordance with rules and laws, and any referendum on these issues needs to be both democratic and fair, it is unacceptable for the Spanish authorities to overreact to today’s events through aggressive police action and the forcible closure of polling stations.Police violence in Catalonia today is shocking, and the Spanish government should take action to end it now. While we believe disputes over sovereignty should be resolved in accordance with rules and laws, and any referendum on these issues needs to be both democratic and fair, it is unacceptable for the Spanish authorities to overreact to today’s events through aggressive police action and the forcible closure of polling stations.
They must respect the right to peaceful protest, and all sides must strive to come together and reach a political solution to this constitutional crisis. Violence of any sort will simply worsen divisions, and make a resolution harder to reach.They must respect the right to peaceful protest, and all sides must strive to come together and reach a political solution to this constitutional crisis. Violence of any sort will simply worsen divisions, and make a resolution harder to reach.
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Spain’s interior ministry has also provided an update on their operation to halt today’s independence referendum.Spain’s interior ministry has also provided an update on their operation to halt today’s independence referendum.
92 “illegal” voting centres have been closed by the national police and the Guardia Civil across Catalonia.92 “illegal” voting centres have been closed by the national police and the Guardia Civil across Catalonia.
Three people, including one girl, have been arrested for civil disobedience and attacking an officer.Three people, including one girl, have been arrested for civil disobedience and attacking an officer.
Nine police officers and three members of the Guardia Civil have been injured so far.Nine police officers and three members of the Guardia Civil have been injured so far.
A esta hora son ya 92 los colegios electorales del referéndum ilegal cerrados por @policia y @guardiacivil en toda Cataluña#EstamosporTIA esta hora son ya 92 los colegios electorales del referéndum ilegal cerrados por @policia y @guardiacivil en toda Cataluña#EstamosporTI
3 personas, una de ellas menor de edad, han sido detenidas por delitos de desobediencia y atentado a agente de la autoridad#EstamosporTI3 personas, una de ellas menor de edad, han sido detenidas por delitos de desobediencia y atentado a agente de la autoridad#EstamosporTI
Por el momento,9 agentes de @policia y 3de @guardiacivil han resultado heridos mientras cumplían la orden de la jueza del TSJC#EstamosporTIPor el momento,9 agentes de @policia y 3de @guardiacivil han resultado heridos mientras cumplían la orden de la jueza del TSJC#EstamosporTI
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465 injured in disorder, says Catalan government465 injured in disorder, says Catalan government
Catalan’s department of health has said 465 people have been treated across the province in relation to the violence.Catalan’s department of health has said 465 people have been treated across the province in relation to the violence.
Over 460 people injured in Catalonia already. As Mayor of BCN I demand an immediate end to police charges against the defenceless population https://t.co/412z6JacapOver 460 people injured in Catalonia already. As Mayor of BCN I demand an immediate end to police charges against the defenceless population https://t.co/412z6Jacap
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A solidarity march with Catalonia is taking place outside the European Union offices in Edinburgh.A solidarity march with Catalonia is taking place outside the European Union offices in Edinburgh.
Many commentators are concerned about the EU’s response, which has said nothing on the disorder so far.Many commentators are concerned about the EU’s response, which has said nothing on the disorder so far.
Outside EU offices in Edinburgh. @Jonathon_Shafi calls for "a wave of solidarity" in response to every attack upon Catalan democracy. pic.twitter.com/NA2F2ZcPZoOutside EU offices in Edinburgh. @Jonathon_Shafi calls for "a wave of solidarity" in response to every attack upon Catalan democracy. pic.twitter.com/NA2F2ZcPZo
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The Guardia Civil, Spain’s military law enforcement agency, has launched a social media attack on Catalan’s local police force, the Mossos, over their response to the referendum.The Guardia Civil, Spain’s military law enforcement agency, has launched a social media attack on Catalan’s local police force, the Mossos, over their response to the referendum.
A heated standoff between the two forces has been posted on a Guardia Civil Twitter page with the caption: “Some seem to be unclear. Shameful.”A heated standoff between the two forces has been posted on a Guardia Civil Twitter page with the caption: “Some seem to be unclear. Shameful.”
Algunos parecen no tenerlo nada claro. Vergonzoso. pic.twitter.com/NinygR2GMyAlgunos parecen no tenerlo nada claro. Vergonzoso. pic.twitter.com/NinygR2GMy
Another post accuses Mossos of ignoring the Spanish court order to halt the referendum, preferring to eat a sandwich instead.Another post accuses Mossos of ignoring the Spanish court order to halt the referendum, preferring to eat a sandwich instead.
2/2 Actuación Mossos ignorando el cumplimento de la Ley, mientras comen bocadillo. pic.twitter.com/B5QmzqFVQs2/2 Actuación Mossos ignorando el cumplimento de la Ley, mientras comen bocadillo. pic.twitter.com/B5QmzqFVQs
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Afternoon summaryAfternoon summary
Patrick GreenfieldPatrick Greenfield
Catalonia’s government says 337 people have been injured, some seriously, during a police crackdown on the independence referendum this Sunday.Catalonia’s government says 337 people have been injured, some seriously, during a police crackdown on the independence referendum this Sunday.
Nine police officers and two members of the Guardia Civil have been injured in the disorder, according to the Spanish interior ministry.Nine police officers and two members of the Guardia Civil have been injured in the disorder, according to the Spanish interior ministry.
The voting has been marred by a brutal police crackdown in which several instances of violence against voters have been recorded. Videos show police dragging voters from polling stations by their hair, unprovoked attacks on protesters and Spanish police attacking Catalan firefighters.The voting has been marred by a brutal police crackdown in which several instances of violence against voters have been recorded. Videos show police dragging voters from polling stations by their hair, unprovoked attacks on protesters and Spanish police attacking Catalan firefighters.
There have been several calls for the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, to resign over the police response from Catalan politicians and opposition MPs.There have been several calls for the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, to resign over the police response from Catalan politicians and opposition MPs.
Barcelona’s La Liga fixture against Las Palmas is being played behind closed doors as a result of the disorder.Barcelona’s La Liga fixture against Las Palmas is being played behind closed doors as a result of the disorder.
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