Violent clashes erupt at Barcelona airport after Spain jails Catalan separatist leaders

Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to prison terms on charges of sedition

Ruling triggered immediate protests, with demonstrators flooding the streets of Barcelona before marching towards El Prat, Spain’s second busiest airport

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Demonstrators flooded the streets of Barcelona before marching towards El Prat, Spain’s second busiest airport, where they briefly choked-off road and rail access. Photo: EPA

Published: 2:10am, 15 Oct 2019Updated: 3:09am, 15 Oct 2019

Riot police charged at protesters outside Barcelona’s airport Monday after the Supreme Court sentenced nine prominent Catalan separatists to lengthy prison terms for their roles in a 2017 push for the wealthy Spanish region’s independence.

Police used batons against the protesters who converged on El Prat airport after a call by the grass roots group Democratic Tsunami, which supports Catalan secession.

Several people were injured as police baton-charged protesters on the concourse of Terminal 1, the main international terminal.

Foam bullets were reported to have been fired and video emerged of national and the regional Catalan police beating demonstrators and attacking journalists. Thirteen people received medical attention and more than 60 flights were cancelled. Spain’s airport operator, AENA, said at least 67 flights were cancelled.

Demonstrators also blocked some of the city’s main avenues, as well as motorways outside the regional capital. The metro from the city centre to the airport was disrupted.

Protesters outside El Prat airport in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: AP

The heavy prison sentences rallied the separatist cause, which is going through its most difficult period in years as its most charismatic leaders are behind bars or abroad, before Spain’s November 10 general election.