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Catalan protests: Region's president urges immediate halt to violence | Catalan protests: Region's president urges immediate halt to violence |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The president of Spain's Catalonia region has called for an immediate halt to violence, as protests continued into a fourth day. | |
"We condemn violence... This has to stop right now," said Quim Torra. He later said he would push for a new referendum on Catalan independence. | |
Protesters clashed with riot police, days after nine separatist leaders were jailed for their role in a failed push for independence. | |
Ninety-six people have been hurt. | |
Demonstrators were detained in Barcelona, Lleida, Tarragona and Girona on Wednesday night as the protests spread across Spain's north-east region. | |
Protesters have reportedly been using an app known as Tsunami Democràtic, which directs them to protest sites in Catalan cities. | |
The Spanish authorities say they are investigating who is co-ordinating the disruption. Mr Torra blamed "infiltrators" but government spokeswoman Isabel Celaá described those instigating the violence as "co-ordinated young Catalans" whose actions were not improvised. | |
Barricades were set alight and petrol bombs thrown as riots gripped the centre of Barcelona. | |
Police released footage of a firework fired at one the helicopters flying over demonstrators in Barcelona. | |
Thousands of people have joined a series of "marches for freedom", which are set to converge in the Catalan capital on Friday. | |
What did the Catalan president say? | What did the Catalan president say? |
In a televised statement, Mr Torra said: "We will not permit incidents like those we are seeing in the streets. | In a televised statement, Mr Torra said: "We will not permit incidents like those we are seeing in the streets. |
"This has to stop right now. There is no reason nor justification for burning cars, nor any other vandalism." | "This has to stop right now. There is no reason nor justification for burning cars, nor any other vandalism." |
Mr Torra, who advocates independence for Catalonia, was speaking after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had made a direct appeal to him to condemn the violence. | Mr Torra, who advocates independence for Catalonia, was speaking after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had made a direct appeal to him to condemn the violence. |
Speaking in the Catalan parliament on Thursday, Mr Torra condemned the long jail sentences handed down to leading separatist figures on Monday as a "direct attack on fundamental rights". | |
He appealed to the prime minister to "face up to the conflict as democracies do - by speaking to and giving voice to the citizens". | |
Why are people protesting? | Why are people protesting? |
The protests began after nine pro-independence leaders were jailed for between nine and 13 years by Spain's Supreme Court. | |
The separatists were convicted of sedition over their role in an independence referendum in 2017. | |
Another three were found guilty of disobedience and fined but not jailed. All 12 defendants denied the charges. | |
On Monday, thousands of protesters blocked roads to Barcelona's El Prat airport - a major transport hub. | 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. | More than 100 flights were cancelled as demonstrators fought running battles with riot police at the terminal buildings. |
What is behind the Catalonia unrest? | 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, through taxes which 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, through taxes which are controlled by Madrid. |
The wealthy region is home to about 7.5 million people, with their own language, parliament, flag and anthem. | The wealthy region 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. |