Three remanded in custody after strike violence

A Barcelona judge has ordered three people held in custody without bail after violent clashes linked to Wednesday’s general strike, in the latest development in the unrest that left 36 police officers injured.

The case follows the disorder reported earlier this week, when protests turned violent in the city centre. CNS reported on the original unrest here: six officers hurt as strike protests turned violent.

According to the court decision, 23 other detainees who appeared on Friday were released with reporting conditions, while 16 people brought before the court on Thursday were also released provisionally. The judge also ordered supervised release and a ban on taking part in demonstrations for the minors involved.

Damage, disorder and arrests

The cases remain open for alleged offences including damage, assault on officers and public disorder. Of the 52 people arrested on Wednesday night, 42 have now appeared before a judge.

The unrest began after the main demonstration for the strike had ended. Police said the most serious incidents started near the junction of Passeig de Gràcia and Plaça de Catalunya, in front of the Apple store, before spreading through the surrounding area.

Officers said groups dressed in black and wearing face coverings threw powerful fireworks at the police line and attacked two shops, Apple and H&M, with petrol bombs. Fires, burning containers, barricades and broken shopfronts followed across the area.

Police also seized two explosive devices from two detained minors, according to the reports. Authorities said two of those arrested had already been held on 24 October in connection with the Blocus protest movement, but Mossos ruled out that movement as the main cause of Wednesday’s violence.

The court decision on Friday does not close the investigation, and more judicial proceedings are expected as the case continues.