Controversy brews over Catalan police charges against anti-fascist protesters

President calls for new guidelines of conduct while interior minister says he will not hesitate to expel any officer who "went too far"

Some containers burnt down after an antifascist demonstration in Terrassa on December 6, 2018 (by Jordi Pujolar)
Some containers burnt down after an antifascist demonstration in Terrassa on December 6, 2018 (by Jordi Pujolar) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

December 7, 2018 12:05 PM

Friday morning saw government officials responding to the outcry over the heavy-handed tactics used by the Catalan police, the Mossos d'Esquadra, against anti-fascist protesters during political rallies on Thursday in the cities of Girona and Terrassa.

While president Quim Torra called for interior minister, Miquel Buch, to come up with new guidelines of conduct to avoid such scenes in the future, Buch admitted that some Mossos riot officers "went too far" and that he would not hesitate to expel them if necessary.

The two of them will meet on Sunday to discuss about the issue. 

Specifically, police clashed with anti-fascist demonstrators aiming to disrupt two rallies organized for the 40th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution, supported by Vox far right party. 

The rallies were held in Girona, northern Catalonia, backed also by the People's Party, and also Terrassa, in Barcelona's metro area.