Thousands of people hit across the streets in Spain for the fifth night, demanding the release of jail rapper Pablo Hasél. The protest turns into clashes between police and members of french groups which led to looting, smashing of shops in Barcelona.

Rally for Spanish rapper Pablo Hasél turns violent into clashes

Violent protests over rapper's jailing continued in Spanish cities continued for fourth night as clashes continued to break out between protesters and the police. Pablo Hasel, the anti-establishment rapper, has been served a nine-month sentence and his jailing has opened fierce debate over freedom of expression in the country. This has compelled the government to announce that it would make speech less restrictive.

Hasel faces charges that accuse him of glorifying terrorism and insulting Spanish royalty.

Protesters threw projectiles at police and at neighbours who condemned them for the disturbances. Two banks and businesses were attacked in Barcelona. Police charged protesters in the northern Catalan city of Girona

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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the violence which has marked protests over the past three nights.

"Democracy protects freedom of speech, including the expression of the most awful, absurd thoughts, but democracy never ever protects violence," he told an event, promising to "widen and improve freedom of speech."

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During last three night, police have had to fire tear gas and foam bullets at demonstrator who set fire to trash containers and motorcycles and looted stores. There were also clashes in the capital Madrid and other cities.

As per officials, three people were arrested in Barcelona on Friday. One woman lost an eye during clashes in Barcelona, triggering calls from politicians to investigate police tactics.

Rights group Amnesty International called for legal changes in Spain, saying that anti-terrorism and gagging laws also unfairly limited people's right to demonstrate their disapproval in the streets.

"Spain is a country with freedom of expression, of course, but there are threats to that freedom," Amnesty head for Spain, Esteban Beltran, told Reuters.

(With Reuters inputs)

Violent protests over rapper's jailing continued in Spanish cities continued for fourth night as clashes continued to break out between protesters and the police.

Violent protests over rapper's jailing continued in Spanish cities continued for fourth night as clashes continued to break out between protesters and the police. Pablo Hasel, the anti-establishment rapper, has been served a nine-month sentence and his jailing has opened fierce debate over freedom of expression in the country. This has compelled the government to announce that it would make speech less restrictive. Hasel faces charges that accuse him of glorifying terrorism and insulting Spanish royalty. Protesters threw projectiles at police and at neighbours who condemned them for the disturbances. Two banks and businesses were attacked in Barcelona. Police charged protesters in the northern Catalan city of Girona Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the violence which has marked protests over the past three nights. "Democracy protects freedom of speech, including the expression of the most awful, absurd thoughts, but democracy never ever protects violence," he told an event, promising to "widen and improve freedom of speech." During last three night, police have had to fire tear gas and foam bullets at demonstrator who set fire to trash containers and motorcycles and looted stores. There were also clashes in the capital Madrid and other cities. As per officials, three people were arrested in Barcelona on Friday. One woman lost an eye during clashes in Barcelona, triggering calls from politicians to investigate police tactics. Rights group Amnesty International called for legal changes in Spain, saying that anti-terrorism and gagging laws also unfairly limited people's right to demonstrate their disapproval in the streets. "Spain is a country with freedom of expression, of course, but there are threats to that freedom," Amnesty head for Spain, Esteban Beltran, told Reuters. (With Reuters inputs)

Spain: Violent protests over rapper's jailing continue for fourth night 

Protesters clashed with police for a third night over the jailing of a rapper for his controversial tweets. Angry demonstrations erupted after police detained Pablo Hasel (32) on Tuesday. Hasel was holed up in a university in Catalonia to avoid jail in a highly contentious free speech case. Dozens of people have been arrested since Tuesday night.

The violence has thrust the hard-left Podemos party -- the junior partner in Spain's leftwing coalition which has opposed Hasel's jailing and publicly supported the protesters -- into the firing line.&nbsp;

Police reported six arrests in Barcelona on Thursday after protesters set up barricades, prompting police to fire tear gas.

Burning rubbish bins and furniture was seen in the centre of the Catalan capital.

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Newsroom of the newspaper El Periodico de Cataluna was attacked. Images of clashes in Valencia were shown on TVE television.

Hundreds of people gathered in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square calling for Hasel's release. The people hurled bottles at police who charged at them. The clashes lasted several hours as per AFP.

Police arrested 19 people, while the city's emergency services said 55 people were injured, among them 35 police officers.&nbsp;

In Barcelona and three other Catalan cities, demonstrators lobbed objects at police and set barricades ablaze on Wednesday, with police charging the protesters and in some places firing foam rounds. Some 50 people were arrested across the country. &nbsp;

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The director of Catalonia's regional police force, Pere Ferrer, said officers faced a "highly complex scenario" because of the "high volume of public disorder" which included looting.

The force has opened an investigation after a young woman lost an eye on Tuesday night in Barcelona as a result of a foam projectile used by police to dispel the protesters, he added.

'Absolute red line'

Hasel, known for his hard-left views, was arrested after failing to turn himself in on Friday to start a nine-month sentence over tweets calling former king Juan Carlos I a mafia boss and accusing police of torturing and killing demonstrators and migrants.

A court in his hometown of Lerida on February 12 sentenced the rapper to another jail term of two and a half years for threatening to kill a man at a bar, according to a ruling published Thursday.

Hundreds of artists have rallied to Hasel's cause, including filmmaker Pedro Almodovar and Hollywood actor Javier Bardem. Amnesty International said jailing him for song lyrics and tweets was "unjust and disproportionate" while campaigners say prosecuting him is a dangerous assault on free speech.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

Protesters clashed with police for a third night over the jailing of a rapper for his controversial tweets. Angry demonstrations erupted after police detained Pablo Hasel (32) on Tuesday.

Protesters clashed with police for a third night over the jailing of a rapper for his controversial tweets. Angry demonstrations erupted after police detained Pablo Hasel (32) on Tuesday. Hasel was holed up in a university in Catalonia to avoid jail in a highly contentious free speech case. Dozens of people have been arrested since Tuesday night. The violence has thrust the hard-left Podemos party -- the junior partner in Spain's leftwing coalition which has opposed Hasel's jailing and publicly supported the protesters -- into the firing line. Police reported six arrests in Barcelona on Thursday after protesters set up barricades, prompting police to fire tear gas. Burning rubbish bins and furniture was seen in the centre of the Catalan capital. Newsroom of the newspaper El Periodico de Cataluna was attacked. Images of clashes in Valencia were shown on TVE television. Hundreds of people gathered in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square calling for Hasel's release. The people hurled bottles at police who charged at them. The clashes lasted several hours as per AFP. Police arrested 19 people, while the city's emergency services said 55 people were injured, among them 35 police officers. In Barcelona and three other Catalan cities, demonstrators lobbed objects at police and set barricades ablaze on Wednesday, with police charging the protesters and in some places firing foam rounds. Some 50 people were arrested across the country. The director of Catalonia's regional police force, Pere Ferrer, said officers faced a "highly complex scenario" because of the "high volume of public disorder" which included looting. The force has opened an investigation after a young woman lost an eye on Tuesday night in Barcelona as a result of a foam projectile used by police to dispel the protesters, he added. 'Absolute red line' Hasel, known for his hard-left views, was arrested after failing to turn himself in on Friday to start a nine-month sentence over tweets calling former king Juan Carlos I a mafia boss and accusing police of torturing and killing demonstrators and migrants. A court in his hometown of Lerida on February 12 sentenced the rapper to another jail term of two and a half years for threatening to kill a man at a bar, according to a ruling published Thursday. Hundreds of artists have rallied to Hasel's cause, including filmmaker Pedro Almodovar and Hollywood actor Javier Bardem. Amnesty International said jailing him for song lyrics and tweets was "unjust and disproportionate" while campaigners say prosecuting him is a dangerous assault on free speech. (With AFP inputs)

Spain: Hundreds protest for third night after rapper's jailing

Glorified terrorism, Pablo Hasel was convicted of these charges and got arrested after authorities launched an operation. Pablo also has been given a 9 months sentence of attacking monarchy.

Pablo Hasel accused of glorifying terrorism and attacking monarchy

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Rally for Spanish rapper Pablo Hasél turns violent into clashes

Spain: Violent protests over rapper's jailing continue for fourth night

Spain: Hundreds protest for third night after rapper's jailing

Pablo Hasel accused of glorifying terrorism and attacking monarchy