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Catalan protests: Region's president pushes for second vote | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The president of Spain's Catalonia region has said he will push for a new independence referendum, as protests continued into a fourth day. | |
Quim Torra said another independence vote should go ahead within two years. | |
He has condemned violence which saw protesters clash with riot police after nine separatist leaders were jailed for their role in a failed push for independence. | |
At least ninety-six people have been hurt across the region. | |
Demonstrators were detained in Barcelona, Lleida, Tarragona and Girona on Wednesday night as the protests spread across Spain's north-east region. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Barricades were set alight and petrol bombs thrown as riots gripped the centre of Barcelona. |
Police released footage of a firework fired at one of their 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. | 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? |
Speaking in the Catalan parliament, Mr Torra said that the sentences handed down to Catalan leaders would not stop a second vote from going ahead. | |
"We'll return to the ballot box again on self-determination. If all parties and groups make it possible, we have to be able to finish this legislative term by validating independence," he said. | |
The Catalan parliament's term ends in December 2021. | |
Spain's Constitutional Court has warned Catalan officials of the legal consequences if they break the law by pursuing independence. | |
Mr Torra also called for an end to the violence. He 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. |
Mr Torra also 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". | 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 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 which was declared illegal by the Spanish courts. | |
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. |
Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont is still wanted by the Spanish authorities for his role in the referendum. | |
He currently resides in Belgium. If he returns to Spain, he will be arrested. | |
On Wednesday, it emerged that he is threatening to take legal action against Canada after his visa application was rejected days before he was set to address a group advocating Quebec independence. | |
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 via 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. |