More than 100 arrested in riots in Spain’s Barcelona, dozens of shops damaged

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - At least 128 people were arrested following violent riots in central Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday, with more than half of those detained being minors, public broadcaster RTVE reported Sunday.

The riots left 14 officers injured, four of them seriously, while a municipal police officer was also injured.

Police said 72 of those arrested were minors.

Authorities also identified around 450 people during an operation to contain the unrest.

The violence erupted around Placa Catalunya after some 500 young people gathered for a protest promoted through social media by an anonymous platform, which had called for demonstrations in major Spanish cities in support of better educational conditions.

The demonstration was promoted mainly through TikTok and messaging platforms, including Telegram and WhatsApp.

According to authorities, the gathering quickly descended into violence, with participants setting fire to 31 rubbish containers, building barricades and throwing objects at riot police.

At least 23 businesses were vandalized or looted, while street furniture and vehicles were also damaged.

The Barcelona City Council estimated that damage to public street furniture alone would cost at least €36,000 ($40,330).

Emergency services received around 450 calls related to the disturbances, while firefighters responded to 33 incidents involving fires in public areas.

Police also issued 68 administrative reports following the confiscation of bladed weapons, sprays, balaclavas, pyrotechnics and other objects.

Silvia Cata, chief commissioner of Catalonia’s regional police, the Mossos d’Esquadra, said officers had been surprised by the “extreme violence” displayed by the participants, describing them as a disorganized group of very young individuals who gathered in small groups to commit acts of vandalism and looting.

She said some participants were under the age of 14 and therefore below the age of criminal responsibility in Spain.

Cata added that police were monitoring social media platforms and cooperating with other European law enforcement agencies to investigate the spread of calls for demonstrations and identify those responsible.