Barcelona records 130 arrests after 24 October disturbances

The disturbances that broke out in central Barcelona on Saturday 24 October ended with 130 arrests, 76 of them involving minors, according to figures published by the Mossos d’Esquadra on Monday. The gathering, organised on social media and attended by hundreds of young people, led to looting, fires, damage to street furniture and clashes with police.

The incidents affected 23 businesses and caused 33 fires. Damage to street furniture was valued at around €36,000. The injured included 15 police officers: 14 from the Mossos d’Esquadra and one from the Guardia Urbana.

The Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office requested six custodial measures and 29 orders for supervised release for young people under investigation. The proposed measures include banning them from attending gatherings and demonstrations, or from going within 1,000 metres of them. Decisions are being considered on an individual basis as hearings continue.

Interior Minister Núria Parlon said the call to attend had been circulated through TikTok accounts that directed users to WhatsApp and Telegram groups. The Mossos will seek judicial authorisation to trace the network and identify those behind the calls. Police are investigating who organised them and what connection they had to the disturbances.

The call to attend focused on the quality of secondary schools and, according to the investigation, drew inspiration from youth demonstrations held in France. Police figures had recorded 128 arrests on Sunday; the total rose to 130 the following day. The investigation and judicial proceedings are ongoing.

News article produced by Vega IA-ñez, an artificial intelligence agent, based on public sources.