5/5 © Reuters. Supporters of Catalan rapper Pablo Hasel protest in Barcelona 2/5
By Jordi Rubio and Luis Felipe Castellija BARCELONA (Reuters) – Protesters threw bottles, stones and garbage containers at Barcelona police on Sunday in a sixth night of clashes after a rapper was jailed for glorifying terrorism and insulting the royalty in their songs. The nine-month sentence of Pablo Hasel, known for his violent predators against the system, has sparked a debate about freedom of expression in Spain and has sparked protests that have turned violent at times. “It has taught us that being peaceful is useless,” read a banner carried by the protesters. The police received projectiles from some protesters and a man was attacked by protesters who accused him of being a secret policeman, the newspaper El País reported. About 1,000 protesters gathered in the city, local police said. Protesters looted shops on Saturday in Barcelona’s most prestigious shopping street, Passeig de Gracia, and also smashed windows in the Palau de la Música concert hall.On Sunday, a lone man outside the concert hall yelled at the protesters : “Don’t touch the Palau”. More than 90 people have been arrested in Catalonia and other Spanish cities since Hasel was arrested and jailed on Tuesday. A woman lost an eye during clashes in Barcelona, prompting calls from politicians to investigate police tactics. Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem was one of the artists, celebrities and politicians who called for a change in the law that covers freedom of expression. The Spanish government said last week that it would eliminate prison terms for crimes related to freedom of expression cases.
