Barcelona police arrest 128 after looting, vandalism

Catalan police said they arrested 128 people overnight in Barcelona for acts of vandalism, damage to public property and looting after an undeclared rally in the city centre.

Catalan police chief Silvia Cata told Spain's 3CatInfo that 73 of those arrested were minors and that reports on them would be sent to the juvenile prosecutor's office. She said 15 officers were injured and 23 premises were vandalised.

Footage on social media showed groups of young people, many dressed in black, attacking businesses after gathering in central Barcelona. Cata said the movement was “completely disorganised” but that the call to rally had spread on social media. Police were studying the profile of those in custody, she said.

Catalonia's regional president, Salvador Illa, wrote on X that “violence has no place in Catalonia” and said those responsible should pay for their actions.

Spain is campaigning for a November 29 general election. Opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo called for change through the ballot box and said coexistence required responsibility.