Around 100 people were arrested in Barcelona after hundreds of young protesters vandalized property, looted shops and set rubbish bins on fire, Spanish media reported on Saturday.
About a quarter of those arrested were minors, according to reports by Spanish newspaper El País and Catalan broadcaster Betevé. More than 220 officers from the Catalan regional police and Barcelona's municipal police were deployed to bring the situation under control.
The protesters had responded to calls on social media for an unauthorized demonstration in the city centre, according to the reports.
The unrest began at around 6 pm (1600 GMT) and continued into the night. The exact aim of the protests was initially unclear.
Catalonia's regional president, Salvador Illa, condemned the violence.
"Violence has no place in Catalonia. Never. Protest is a democratic right. Attacks, intimidation and damage to property are not," he said, according to El País.
Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni also condemned what he called "senseless violence and vandalism."
"We will not allow what happened to go unpunished," he told a press conference late on Saturday.
He said there would be consequences for those involved in the violence, including adults and those responsible for minors. "We will not allow the city to be devastated," he added.
Protests also took place in several French and Italian cities on Saturday, with some turning violent and leading to clashes with police. Demonstrators raised a range of grievances, including high living costs.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
