Spanish Police Arrest 128 in Barcelona over Looting

Spanish police arrested 128 people in Barcelona overnight over alleged vandalism, damage to public property and looting, Catalan regional police said on Sunday.

Catalan police chief Silvia Cata told 3CatInfo that 73 of those arrested were minors, adding that their cases would be referred to the juvenile prosecutor’s office.

Videos circulating on social media showed groups of young people, many dressed in black, attacking businesses in Barcelona after gathering in the city centre for an unauthorised rally.

Cata said only two of the 128 detainees had previous criminal records, while 15 police officers were injured during the unrest. She added that 23 premises were vandalised.

Describing the violence as unjustified, the police chief said the gathering lacked a clear organisational structure, although the call to participate had spread through social media. Police were also working to establish the backgrounds of those detained.

Catalonia’s regional president, Salvador Illa, condemned the violence in a post on X, insisting that such acts had no place in the region and that those responsible must face consequences.

“Violence has no place in Catalonia. Ever,” Catalonia’s regional president, Salvador Illa, posted 

The arrests come as several European countries have experienced protests accompanied by incidents of violence and looting, including France, Italy and Albania.

Spain is also preparing for a general election scheduled for November 29. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the right-wing opposition, called for political change through the ballot box, stressing the need for freedom and respect.

He added that maintaining peaceful coexistence required responsibility rather than support for people whose actions put it at risk.