Several arrested in Barcelona as protests over jailed rapper turn violent

Rapper Pablo Hasel's case has put the spotlight on freedom of expression in Spain, prompting the government to announce it would relax free speech laws.

Police officers detain a demonstrator during a protest in support of rap singer Pablo Hasel after he was given a jail sentence on charges of glorifying terrorism and insulting royalty in his songs, in Barcelona, Spain, February 27, 2021.
Reuters

Police officers detain a demonstrator during a protest in support of rap singer Pablo Hasel after he was given a jail sentence on charges of glorifying terrorism and insulting royalty in his songs, in Barcelona, Spain, February 27, 2021.

Ten people have been arrested in Barcelona for assaulting police officers in fresh unrest over the jailing of a rapper for glorifying terrorism and insulting royalty in his songs.

Pablo Hasel, known for his anti-establishment lyrics, was arrested on February 16 after failing to report to serve his sentence, prompting debate over freedom of expression and sparking sometimes violent protests in Barcelona and Madrid. 

Hasel was convicted for lyrics and tweets that included references to Basque separatist group ETA, calling Spain's former king Juan Carlos a mafia boss and likening Spanish judges to Nazis.

READ MORE: Protesters clash with Spanish police in fresh unrest over jailed rapper

'Barricades and looting continue'

On Saturday evening police in Barcelona chased protesters after they hurled glass bottles, set fire to a police van and smashed the fronts of shops and banks.

"Barricades and looting continue in the area of central Barcelona. For safety do not approach this area," Mossos d'Escuadra, the Catalan regional police, said on Twitter.

Some "hooded groups" were looting along Barcelona's famous Rambla street, while firefighters were dealing with fires in shops and banks, police s aid, adding there were "several banks with serious damage".

Ten people had been arrested for assaulting police officers, the Mossos d'Escuadra tweeted.

READ MORE: Violence flares in Spain as protests over jailing of rapper continue

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Growing frustrations

Earlier, some 2,000 people wearing face masks and carrying banners marched through the city to call for Hasel's release.

Hasel's case has put the spotlight on freedom of expression in Spain, prompting the government to announce it would relax free speech laws. 

It has also highlighted the growing frustrations of many young Spaniards, from job insecurity to anger at Spain's political establishment. 

READ MORE: Arrests in Spain after second night of Pablo Hasel protests

READ MORE: Protests after police jail Spanish rapper over tweets

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