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Pictures from Barcelona show riot police clashing with protestors in the centre of the Catalonian capital. More than 2,000 people took to the streets tongiht to protest against the imprisonment of several top pro independance politicians.

A judge ordered the imprisonment of Catalan Party Junts per Catalunya (JxCat)'s candidate to Catalan Presidency Jordi Turull, former Catalan Parliament's Speaker Carme Forcadell, ERC party's Member in Parliament Marta Rovira and Catalan former ministers Raul Romeva, Josep Rull, and Dolors Bassa. The protesters chanted "Lets break the chains of regression" in solidarity with the imprisoned ministers.

Riot cops clash with demonstrators in Barcelona Fri, March 23, 2018 Violent pro-independence protests have broken out in Barcelona Play slideshow EPA 1 of 9 Catalonian riot police and protesters clash

More than 2,000 people have taken to the streets of Barcelona

Some even burned photos of the King, and shouted "freedom for political prisoners". Local media reports the Barcelona police, the Mossos d'Esquadra have used truncheons and batons to control the crowds. In a message on social media the Mossos asked those attending the protest to follow police instructions and to not break the police cordon around Mallorca, Roger de Llúria, Pau Claris and Valencia streets in the city centre. Hundreds of people have blocked Avenida Diagonal - one of the city's main thoroughfares. The riots come just one day after candidate to the Presidency Jordi Turull could not be sworn in for lack of political support. Jordi Turull fell short of the absolute majority he needed to become the next Catalan president due to a division within the three parties who seek independence.

EPA Catalonian riot police and protesters clash during a protest

EPA Barcelona protest: Clashes have turned violent

An abstention from Thursday's vote by the anti-capitalist CUP party left Turull with 64 votes when he needed 68. The regional parliament now has two months to pick a president and form a government before a new election is called. Earlier today the Spanish Supreme Court ruled twenty-five Catalan leaders will be tried for rebellion, embezzlement or disobeying the state, in a sharp escalation of legal action against separatists in the northeastern region. One of the leaders facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted, Marta Rovira, earlier said she had already fled Spain, joining five others in exile. On Friday evening, Supreme court judge Pablo Llarena ordered an international arrest warrant for all six.

EPA Protestors have tried to break through police cordons