Protests have erupted in Barcelona following the arrest in Germany of Catalan president Carles Puigdemont.

More than 50 people have been injured following the arrest of Mr Puigdemont, who has been detained on a European arrest warrant and will appear in court on Monday.

Police intercepted Mr Puigdemont near the Danish border as the ousted politician attempted to return to Belgium, according to his lawyer, Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas.

Mr Puigdemont "was arrested today at 11:19 am by Schleswig-Holstein's highway patrol force," said a German police spokesman.

"He is now in police custody", added the spokesman.


Image: Protesters hold a banner reading: 'Freedom to political prisoners' in Barcelona

Within hours, thousands of people assembled in Barcelona to protest Mr Puigdemont's arrest, with videos of the crowds circulating on social media.

Images showed the protesters clashing with police in riot gear in scenes reminiscent of the contested independence vote last year.

It is not known how many people are involved in the demonstrations, nor how many police officers have been deployed.

Mr Puigdemont's lawyer said on Saturday that the former president had slipped out of Finland some time prior.

The former Catalan president has been in Germany since Thursday for talks with MPs.

A Spanish Supreme Court judge reactivated an international arrest warrant for him on Friday.

Image: A van thought to be transporting Carles Puigdemont was filmed arriving at the German detention centre

Finland's National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed on Saturday it had received a European arrest warrant for "a Spanish citizen visiting Finland". The NBI said they were unaware of the person's location.

"The president was going to Belgium to put himself, as always, at the disposal of Belgian justice," said Joan Maria Pique, Mr Puigdemont's spokesman.

Mr Puigdemont is wanted by Spain on charges of "rebellion" and "sedition" over his involvement in the Catalan referendum in October last year.

Image: Demonstrations followed the arrest of Catalonia's former president by German police

International arrest warrants have also been issued for five others involved in the referendum, including Clara Ponsati. Ms Ponsati has since moved to Scotland, whose government have spoken out to support the Catalonian independence movement.

She is said to be preparing to hand herself into police.

The region unilaterally declared independence from Spain.

Spain's government sacked Mr Puigdemont and his entire administration before dissolving the parliament as a result.

Image: Mr Puigdemont was sacked by the government of Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy

Catalonia has been under direct rule from Madrid since the end of October.

Mr Puigdemont fled to Belgium hours before Spain's attorney general asked for charges to be brought against him and other members of his cabinet.

The crime of rebellion carries a maximum sentence of 30 years' imprisonment, while sedition carries a 15-year penalty.

Why did Guardiola wear a ribbon?

Earlier this month, Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City boss, was fined £20,000 for wearing a yellow ribbon on the sidelines in support of four Catalan politicians who have been imprisoned over the referendum.