Following serious rioting in central Barcelona on Saturday night into Sunday, police arrested 128 people, 72 of them minors. The Mossos d'Esquadra confirmed this on Sunday. According to the authorities, around 500 young people gathered around the Plaça Catalunya on Saturday evening and attacked officers shortly after assembling, set fire to containers and vandalised parts of the city centre. Twenty-three businesses were damaged or looted, and firefighters extinguished 33 fires involving street furniture.
The head of the Mossos d'Esquadra, Sílvia Catàtold broadcaster RAC1 that the events followed an “unusual pattern” and stressed that this had not been a typical demonstration. According to her, investigators have evidence that “organised groups” used social media, specifically TikTok, to target young people for recruitment and mobilise them to commit violence. This is the police’s account; the authorities initially gave no further details about the groups.
Police statements indicate that most of the minors arrested were aged 16 or 17; a few 14-year-olds were also recorded. Six women were arrested in total. According to the authorities, only two of those arrested had criminal records. Alongside the arrests, officers issued 68 administrative citations, including for carrying knives, sprays and pyrotechnics. In addition to Mossos riot police, the Guardia Urbana and the fire service also took part in the response.
Those arrested are due to appear before the courts. The investigation is focusing on whether the mobilisation was coordinated or involved loosely connected groups, and who might be held criminally responsible as a possible organiser. The authorities are also considering how to preventively address future gatherings of this kind without restricting legitimate forms of protest.
According to several regional media outlets, the main figures for arrests, age groups and property damage match the official reports from late Saturday and early Sunday. Statements about motives and those responsible are preliminary and remain subject to the ongoing Mossos d'Esquadra investigation. Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat said they would assess the implications for safety, public order and youth work, and coordinate measures with the security forces.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).