Clashes in Barcelona over virus restrictions

More than 700 people attend rally

Police clash with protesters in downtown Barcelona. AP Photo

A police officer tries to hit a demonstrator with a baton during a protest against the closure of bars and gyms. Reuters

Demonstrators burn their masks during a protest before clashing with police in downtown Barcelona. AP Photo

Demonstrators shout slogans against the government before clashing with police in downtown Barcelona. AP Photo

Mossos d'Esquadra agents confront Covid-19 deniers during a march to protest against the restrictions imposed to fight against the coronavirus pandemic. EPA

A woman is lying on the ground of a shop after being beaten by a policeman during clashes in downtown Barcelona. AP Photo

Members of the Catalan regional police force Mossos d'Esquadra take position next to burning trash set on fire by protesters. AFP

People look at a burning barricade during a protest against the closure of bars and gyms. Reuters

A person rides a bicycle in front of a fire during a protest against the closure of bars and gyms Reuters

Police officers restrain a person during a protest against the closure of bars and gyms. Reuters

Police officers restrain a person during a protest against the closure of bars and gyms. REUTERS

A man holds his dog as police officers chase demonstrators during clashes in downtown Barcelona. AP Photo

Protesters clashed with police in central Barcelona on Friday after hundreds gathered to demonstrate against new coronavirus restrictions, including a curfew and a ban on leaving the city over the holiday weekend.

A spokesman for the Mossos d'Esquadra regional police told AFP up to 700 protesters attended the rally which later turned violent when a group of some 50 people "began throwing dangerous objects" at police, prompting them to try and break up the crowd.

An AFP TV correspondent in the central Plaza Sant Jaume saw scores of demonstrators wearing face masks, many chanting "freedom", hurling rocks and crowd control barriers at police in full riot gear as the surrounding streets filled with smoke from burning barricades.

Sirens wailed throughout the city centre as police sought to disperse the protesters with batons and firefighters hosed down fires in several large wheelie bins.

The regional police said 20 officers were injured in the clashes and 12 people were arrested.

At least two establishments were looted and several police vehicles damaged, it added.

A protest in the northern Spanish city of Burgos also turned violent when several dozen young protestors began throwing bottles and stones at police and torching rubbish bins, the Diario de Burgos news website reported.

"What's happening in Burgos tonight only brings more pain and destruction. Anger won't get us out of here," tweeted Francisco Igea, number two in the Castilla y Leon region.

Despite the many restrictions imposed in Spain since July, when the number of cases began rising again, infections have spiralled with the virus claiming more than 35,000 lives and infecting more than 1.1 million people.

Almost all of Spain's regions have imposed border closures in the hope of avoiding a new lockdown, but in Catalonia, where bars and restaurants have been closed since mid-October, the authorities have imposed extra restrictions.

Residents have been barred from leaving towns and cities over the weekend with police on Friday checking drivers on the main roads leading out of Barcelona.