Fascists have been seen making Nazi salutes and clashing with police officers during a protest against the Catalonian independence vote in Barcelona.

Hundreds of thousands of people descended on the streets of the Catalan capital on Sunday to take part in a pro-unity rally in favour of the region remaining in Spain.

The protest, which took place just two days after the Catalan regional parliament made a unilateral declaration of independence, was tainted by small outbreaks of violence from neo-Nazis.

Police confront protesters in Barcelona who accuse separatists of leading a coup d'etat

Footage from the predominantly peaceful demonstration showed neo-Nazi protesters draped in Spanish flags raising their right hands in Sieg Hiel salutes reminiscent of pro-Hitler rallies in Nazi Germany.

Another clip showed far-right protesters chanting “Viva Franco” – a reference to Spain's former dictator General Francisco Franco.

Tensions boiled over into street clashes between fascists and baton-wielding police officers. A neo-Nazi protester with a swastika tattoo emblazoned on his hand could be seen clashing with Catalonian security forces.

While the organising association, the Societat Civil Catalana [SCC], calculated the total turnout of Catalan and Spanish flag-waving protesters to be well over a million, local authorities provided a much lower estimate of 300,000.

This is not the first time fascist salutes have broken out at a pro-unity rally. Earlier in October, a small group of protesters in Madrid rallying under the slogan “for the unity of Spain” appeared to flash fascist salutes in a procession led by a group aligning themselves with far-right party Falange Española‏ de las Jons, which held power during the Francoist dictatorship period of the country.

Use of the salute is illegal in some countries. In Germany, Slovakia, and Austria, the gesture is deemed a criminal offence but in countries like Canada and France, it is viewed as hate speech if used for disseminating Nazi ideology.

The most recent protests come after Catalonia’s dismissed deputy president announced he rejects what he branded a “coup d’etat” by the Spanish government. Oriol Junqueras said "the president of the country is and will remain Carles Puigdemont."

He made the comments in an article for Catalan newspaper El Punt Avui which he signed off "Vice President of the government of Catalonia."

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy took direct control of the region after it voted in favour of an independent republic. This is to be carried out under Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution which allows Madrid to impose direct rule.

The national government in Madrid dismissed Mr Puigdemont and Mr Junqueras.

Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures Demonstrators block a Guardia Civil vehicle as they try to leave the Department of External Affairs, Institutional Relations and Transparency of the Catalan Government office in Barcelona AP/Emilio Morenatti Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures Demonstrators react as they try to stop the car carrying Xavier Puig, a senior at the Department of External Affairs, Institutional Relations and Transparency of the Catalan Government office, after he was arrested by Guardia Civil officers in Barcelona AP/Emilio Morenatti Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures A demonstrator reacts as he tries with others to stop the car carrying Xavier Puig, a senior at the Department of External Affairs, Institutional Relations and Transparency of the Catalan Government office, after he was arrested by Guardia Civil officers in Barcelona AP/Emilio Morenatti Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures Spokeswoman of the Catalan pro-independence anticapitalist party "Candidatura d'Unitat Popular - CUP" (Popular Unity Candidacy), Ana Gabriel, talks to the media in Barcelona Josep Lago/AFP Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures Republican Left of Catalonia party's (ERC) Member of Parliament Joan Tarda (C) attends a demonstration outside the regional Economy Ministry in Catalonia during a police search for documents connected with the organisation of the Catalan independence referendum, in Barcelona EPA/Alejandro Garcia Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures A man holds pro-referendum poster next to a Spanish Civil Guard who stands in front of the Economy headquarters of Catalonia's regional government in Barcelona. The operation comes amid mounting tensions as Catalan leaders press ahead with preparations for an independence referendum on October 1 despite Madrid's ban and a court ruling deeming it illegal Josep Lago/AFP Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures People hold placards reading "Democracy" as they protest in front of the Economy headquarters of Catalonia's regional government in Barcelona AFP Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures A crowd of protesters gather outside the Catalan region's economy ministry after junior economy minister Josep Maria Jove was arrested by Spanish police during a raid on several government offices, in Barcelona Reuters/Albert Gea Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures People holding 'Esteladas' (Catalan pro-independence flags) attend a protest near the Economy headquarters of Catalonia's regional government Lluis Gene/AFP Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures People demonstrate on a Spanish Civil Guard Police car outside the Catalan Vice-President and Economy office as police officers holds a searching operation inside David Ramos/Getty Images

Mr Rajoy said the declaration of independence "not only goes against the law but is a criminal act" and announced the looming dissolution of the Catalan parliament, the closure of Catalan embassies abroad and issued a call for regional elections.

In a scathing attack, Mr Puigdemont accused Mr Rajoy of the “worst attack on Catalan institutions since the dictator General Franco ordered the end of our autonomy”.

“What we decide through voting is to be wiped out by the government in their offices,” Mr Puigdemont claimed on Saturday.