Spain's civil guard is to be deployed in Barcelona, the country's government has announced, as a mass pro-independence protest again descended into violence.

They will be sent to the outskirts of the Catalan city following five days of protests over the jailing of pro-separatist leaders, the interior ministry said.

In another sign of Madrid's hardline stance, acting interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska warned protesters they could be jailed for up to six years.

Image: A Catalan demonstrator throws a stone during protests on Friday

Image: There were violent clashes outside the police headquarters

Half a million people joined Friday's demonstration against the jailing of nine leaders of Catalonia's separatist movement, bringing the city to a standstill.

Image: Catalan regional police fire water cannons to extinguish burning barricades

Image: Policemen walk over debris after violence escalated during clashes

Major roads were blocked across Catalonia and several main streets in Barcelona were closed to traffic, with regional trains and the city's metro are running on a reduced timetable.


The marchers, some carrying banners demanding authorities "free political prisoners", were mostly peaceful, but later a small number of masked activists threw rocks, bottles, eggs and paint at police and set fire to large wheelie bins.

Huge protests in Barcelona

Image: Protesters throw objects during clashes with police

Officers in riot gear responded by firing rubber bullets and smoke grenades and using batons and police vans to disperse a few hundred young protesters who surrounded the National Police headquarters.

More than 200 people have been injured and nearly 100 arrested since the protests began on Monday, officials said.

Earlier, fugitive ex-Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont handed himself in to Belgian authorities after Spain issued a new warrant for his arrest.

Catalonia protesters clash with police

Image: Police responded with rubber bullets and baton charges

His office said he had "voluntarily appeared before Belgian officials" while rejecting the warrant and opposing any attempt to send him back to Spain.

Unions from across Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia called for a general strike after Monday's Supreme Court ruling that saw nine politicians and activists jailed for up to 13 years over their role in a failed 2017 independence bid.

Around 46 flights into and out of the region have been cancelled due to the latest industrial action.

Image: Protesters put up barricades near the police headquarters

Image: Burned debris are pictured on the streets of Barcelona

Spain's biggest domestic football match, El Clasico, between Barcelona and Real Madrid, scheduled for 26 October, has been postponed to avoid coinciding with a large rally planned for that day.

Demonstrators even blocked the border with France at the major crossing point of La Jonquera.

Riot police charge through fire in Barcelona

Carmaker Seat, owned by VW, said it had halted production at its plant in Martorell, near Barcelona, over concerns the marches would disrupt traffic.

Image: On Thursday, at least 80 people, including 46 police officers, were injured

Image: The protests are over jail sentences given to separatist politicians by Spain's Supreme Court

On Thursday, at least 80 people, including 46 police officers, were injured during the most violent of four nights of rioting.

A statement from the office of Spain's caretaker prime minister Pedro Sanchez said 33 people were arrested.

After a surge in separatist sentiment since the global economic crisis that hit Spain particularly hard, polls show around half of Catalonia's 7.5 million residents want to break away and forge a new European country.

The issue has divided families and friends, but demonstrations had largely been peaceful until this week.