Barcelona Police Arrest 128 Amid Violent Riots and Looting Across City

Spanish authorities reported that 128 people were arrested overnight between Saturday and Sunday for vandalism and looting in Barcelona, where riots similar to those seen in recent weeks in France and Italy erupted. Catalonia's regional police stated that 73 of the detainees are minors, with only two having prior criminal records. Social media footage showed groups of youths, many dressed entirely in black, running through the streets of Barcelona and targeting businesses after gathering at Plaça de Catalunya, a central square in the city.

The gathering was not a pre-arranged protest or demonstration coordinated with authorities. The rioters looted clothing, footwear, and electronics stores, and set fire to public property in the street. In total, over 30 fire hotspots and 14 vandalized or looted shops were identified in the area, which is popular among tourists and shoppers. Videos posted online showed people trapped inside stores, including El Corte Inglés department store, after rolling shutters were pulled down to prevent looting. Other posts showed masked rioters kicking shop windows and fleeing with merchandise, sometimes encouraged by live-stream viewers.

Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni stated that the acts of vandalism would not go unpunished, including legal consequences for the guardians of any minors involved. Catalonia police chief Sílvia Catà reported that 15 police officers were injured during the unrest, emphasizing that it was "violence for the sake of violence." Meanwhile, similar protests and heightened security measures were reported across major European cities, including Italy where police arrested suspects linked to online incitement, such as Youssef Sehar, who allegedly coordinated riots via Telegram.