AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
UPDATE: Police is investigating the death of 3 persons in Barselona, Catalonia. It is not clear if this is related to Spanish police actions in the region yet.
Estem investigant la mort de tres persones a un immoble de Sant Martí (Barcelona)
— Mossos (@mossos) 1 October 2017
Over 470 people have been injured in Catalonia as a result of violent actions of Spanish police against supporters of the region independence, Mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau said demanding “an immediate end to police charges against the defenceless population”.
Over 460 people injured in Catalonia already. As Mayor of BCN I demand an immediate end to police charges against the defenceless population https://t.co/412z6Jacap
— Ada Colau (@AdaColau) 1 October 2017
Earlier on Sunday, Spanish police launched a large-scale crackdown on the Catalan independence referendum that had started in the region. Multiple videos appeared online showing how police use rubber bullets against and beat people that seek to participate in the referendum.
Previous reports appeared that at least 337 people have been injured in the erupted violence.
BREAKING: At least 337 people injured during police crackdown in Catalonia; several people are in critical condition – official
— BNO News (@BNONews) 1 October 2017
The number will likely rise further as the clashes continue across the region.
?Catalan police officer ask Spain’s Guardia Civil to calm down during the charges against #CatalanReferendum. pic.twitter.com/4o5rwFWrAj
— АРТЕМ КЛЮШИН (@ARTEM_KLYUSHIN) 1 October 2017
Meanwhile, the Spanish ambassador to the UK, Carlos Bastarreche, described the referendum as “a slow-motion, low-cost coup d’etat” by the Catalan government, according to the Guardian.
“If the Catalan government succeed it will be a drama for Europe, starting with the UK, because it will mean that a region can disobey the rule of law,” he said.
The Spanish government has repeatedly described that Catlan referendum as an illegal and unconstitutional act.
Vice President of the European Parliament, Ulrike Lunacek, has another opinion, according to TASS. She said that the referendum is legal, but “it must be agreed with Madrid. However, the Central government must finally end the embargo on dialogue.”
