The video will start in 8 Cancel

News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Nearly half a million people have vented their fury on the streets of Barcelona in a huge protest as the Catalan crisis deepens.

Activists waved the Catalonian independence flag as tempers boiled over after the Spanish Prime Minister said he wanted to dissolve Catalonia's government.

Police have said that around 450,000 separatists took part in the rally, furious with today's bombshell.

It had earlier emerged that the region's top politician could face arrest if he declares independence, and Madrid now plans to hold Catalan regional elections in January.

The moves come after regional President Carles Puigdemont threatened to go forward with Catalan independence, which has incensed Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Mr Puigdemont joined the protests in the region's capital and Rajoy's announcement was met with fury by angry crowds chanting anti-government slogans.

Rajoy said after a cabinet meeting that the central government needs to take the unprecedented step of assuming control of Catalonia to ''restore order" in the face of a secession effort backed by the regional government.

(Image: AFP) (Image: Getty Images Europe) (Image: Getty Images Europe) (Image: REUTERS)

He is proposing that the powers of Catalan officials are taken over by central government ministers in an unprecedented move.

A vote is scheduled in the Spanish Parliament on October 27, with Rajoy saying it is needed in order to restore order.

Rajoy's government is activating a previously untapped constitutional article to take control of Catalonia.

This is aimed at blocking the independence movement that has gained pace since a disputed October 1 referendum on separating Catalonia from Spain.

Spanish authorities have come under fire after a strong-armed police response, which saw officers attempt to block people from voting.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Spain's most senior court fell victim to a massive cyber attack as hackers launched an "Operation Free Catalonia" campaign.

The country's constitutional court said unknown hackers had accessed its computer systems on Friday.

The Spanish National Security Department said the hack was part of a recent campaign to flood government websites with slogans in support of independence for the Spanish region of Catalonia .

Social media groups linked to cyber hacking group Anonymous said they would roll out action as part of "Operation Free Catalonia".

(Image: AFP) (Image: REUTERS)

Meanwhile, Spanish attorney general José Manuel Maza is reportedly preparing to have Carles Puigdemont - president of Catalonia and figurehead of the independence movement - arrested for rebellion.

El Pais reported Puigdemont faces a charge of sedition, punishable by up to 30 years in prison, if he formally declares independence or tries to change the Spanish constitution.

It comes after the regional leaders of Catalonia - including Barcelona - held an independence referendum earlier this month on whether to break away from the rest of Spain.