Spain: Secessionist protests across Catalan cities March 25 /update 1

Event

Secessionist protests broke out across Catalonia region on Sunday, March 25, following the arrest of the former Catalan leader. Carles Puigdemont, who is wanted in Spain on charges of sedition and rebellion and is subject to a European arrest warrant, was detained in Germany earlier on Sunday. In Barcelona, an estimated 55,000 protesters gathered at the offices of the European Commission and German consulate, while demonstrations were also seen in Girona, Tarragona and Lleida. Some localized violence was reported, when scuffles broke out between protesters and police forces. Protesters also reportedly created several road blocks.

A heightened security presence is likely over the coming days, while further protests and associated disruptions should not be discounted.

Context

Tensions have been particularly high in Catalonia after a Spanish judge summoned several Catalan leaders to appear at the Spanish Supreme Court on March 23 for their alleged roles in the October 2017 Catalan independence referendum. A Spanish supreme court judge has charged 13 Catalan leaders with rebellion, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment. One of those arrested on Friday was Jordi Turrull, a candidate for Catalan regional president, while a European arrest for Puigdemont’s arrest was reissued the same day.

Spain was thrown into a constitutional and political crisis after Catalonia held an independence referendum, deemed illegal by the Spanish government and marred with violence, on October 1, 2017. Despite a series of logistical and judicial obstacles enacted by the central government to prevent the vote, 42 percent of the Catalan population participated in the referendum, with 90 percent of whom voting in favor of independence. Madrid officially suspended the region's autonomy on October 27 - just moments after the Catalan parliament unilaterally declared independence - and implemented direct central rule. The central government also fired the Catalan government and dissolved the parliament.

Advice

Individuals in Catalonia are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.