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Catalan protests: Fresh clashes after Spain jails separatist leaders | Catalan protests: Fresh clashes after Spain jails separatist leaders |
(32 minutes later) | |
Thousands of people in Catalonia have rallied in support of the region's independence from Spain for a second day, leading to clashes with police. | |
Fires were started and protesters attempted to storm government offices in Barcelona, the regional capital. | |
It follows the sentencing on Monday of nine Catalan separatist leaders. | It follows the sentencing on Monday of nine Catalan separatist leaders. |
A spokesperson for Catalonia's regional government, Meritxell Budó, said they sympathised and understood the anger of the protesters. | |
Meanwhile, Spanish authorities say they are investigating who is co-ordinating the disruption. | |
Protesters have reportedly been using an app known as Tsunami Democratic, which directs them to protest sites in Catalan cities. | |
In Barcelona, riot police fired tear gas and charged a crowd of protesters who were trying to access government buildings. | |
There were three arrests, and local media reported that nine people had been treated by medical services. | |
Protests were also reported in the Catalan cities of Girona and Tarragona. | |
Pro-independence leaders - who control the Catalan regional government - say they will keep pushing for a new referendum on secession from Spain. | |
Why are people protesting? | Why are people protesting? |
The protests began after nine Catalan independence leaders were handed jail sentences of between nine and 13 years by Spain's Supreme Court on Monday. | |
The separatists were convicted of sedition over their role in an independence referendum in 2017, which Spain said was illegal. | |
Another three were found guilty of disobedience and fined, but not jailed. All 12 defendants denied the charges. | Another three were found guilty of disobedience and fined, but not jailed. All 12 defendants denied the charges. |
Joan Tardà, the former deputy leader of a pro-Catalan independence party, has called for peaceful protests. | Joan Tardà, the former deputy leader of a pro-Catalan independence party, has called for peaceful protests. |
"There is nothing more lethal to independence than the combination between a violent minority action on the street and an uncontrolled police force," he said on Twitter. | "There is nothing more lethal to independence than the combination between a violent minority action on the street and an uncontrolled police force," he said on Twitter. |
On Monday, thousands of protesters blocked roads to Barcelona's El Prat airport - a major transport hub. | |
More than 100 flights were cancelled as demonstrators fought running battles with riot police at the terminal buildings. | |
What is behind the Catalonia unrest? | |
Catalan nationalists have long complained that their region, which has a distinct history dating back almost 1,000 years, sends too much money to poorer parts of Spain, as taxes are controlled by Madrid. | Catalan nationalists have long complained that their region, which has a distinct history dating back almost 1,000 years, sends too much money to poorer parts of Spain, as taxes are controlled by Madrid. |
The wealthy region in Spain's north-east is home to about 7.5 million people, with their own language, parliament, flag and anthem. | |
In September, a march in Barcelona in support of Catalonia's independence from Spain drew crowds of about 600,000 people - one of the lowest turnouts in the eight-year history of the annual rally. | In September, a march in Barcelona in support of Catalonia's independence from Spain drew crowds of about 600,000 people - one of the lowest turnouts in the eight-year history of the annual rally. |