Protesters set cars on fire and threw petrol bombs at police in the Spanish city of Barcelona on Wednesday (October 16), intensifying unrest sparked by the sentencing of Catalan separatist leaders who had sought to declare an independent state.Peaceful demonstration throughout Wednesday deteriorated after nightfall into clashes between police and protesters, prompting regional government leader Quim Torra to demand an immediate return to normality.Police said Molotov cocktail petrol bombs and acid were thrown at officers. In some places, police charged at protesters and fired foam projectiles, Reuters witnesses said.Emergency services said 52 people had been treated in the course of the day for injuries sustained in Barcelona and other towns in the region.Four people were detained without bail on Wednesday for their roles in skirmishes the previous night.Divisions over a drive to split the northeastern region of Catalonia from Spain roiled the country in 2017, and re-surfaced on Monday when the Supreme Court sentenced nine politicians and activists to up to 13 years in jail.
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