Madrid-Sana
Around 200 people were injured in violent clashes between pro-independence protesters and the Spanish police in a number of regions.
"Barcelona has turned into a battlefield, with 152 people injured and dozens more injured across Catalonia," Spanish authorities were quoted as saying.
The escalation of clashes comes after the continued protests by supporters of the independence of the territory for the fifth day in a row to reject the issuance of the Spanish High Court to severe sentences of nine leaders demanding secession for holding a referendum on the independence of the province two years ago despite its ban.
According to the Spanish Interior Ministry, 83 people were arrested after clashes last night in addition to 128 people announced by the authorities before the rallies yesterday.
About half a million took part in rallies and demonstrations in Barcelona yesterday, the largest gathering since the issuance of judicial rulings that prompted tens of thousands of independence supporters to protest in the streets of the province in northeastern Spain and the announcement of the general strike in Barcelona.