AT least 53 people were injured as thousands of pro-Catalonia protesters stormed Barcelona airport last night.

Riot cops fired foam bullets and tear gas into angry rock-throwing crowds as more than 100 flights were cancelled.

Riot cops patrol a car park at El Prat airport in Barcelona amid violent clashes with protesters Credit: AFP or licensors

Pro-Independence protesters piled up airport luggage trolleys as thousands descended on the airport on Monday Credit: AFP or licensors

A riot cop swings his baton at protesters outside the airport amid clashes following the sentencing of a dozen Catalan leaders Credit: Reuters

The violence came as Spain's Supreme Court convicted 12 separatist leaders of illegally promoting Catalonia's independence.

Nine of the 12 independence leaders were jailed - sparking outrage among some of the wealthy region's anti-Madrid population.

A pro-independence grassroots group put out the call to converge on Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport following Monday's court ruling.

Regional emergency service SEM said 53 people were treated for injuries at the airport.

Spain's airport operator AENA said at least 108 flights were cancelled.



STREET CLASHES

Baton-waving riot police also clashed with violent crowds in central Barcelona late last night.

Trains were halted as protesters placed burning tires and wood on tracks - while roads leading to the airport entrance were blocked.

Nine of the 12 Catalan politicians and activists were found guilty of sedition and given prison sentences of nine to 13 years.

Four of them were additionally convicted of misuse of public funds.

The other three were fined for disobedience - while the court barred all of them from holding public office.

'REBELLION' CHARGES

All 12 were acquitted on the more serious charge of rebellion - which implied the use of violence.

The charges were brought by state prosecutors and lawyers for the far-right Spanish party Vox.

It came two years after the unsuccessful attempt in 2017 by Catalan independence leaders to declare secession from Spain.

Spain's caretaker prime minister Pedro Sanchez said the outcome of the four-month trial proved that secession attempt had become "a shipwreck."

Riot police pin down a pro-Catalonia demonstrator during violent clashes at Barcelona airport on Monday Credit: EPA

Thousand of people attend at Barcelona-El Prat international airport to join the rally Credit: EPA

Riot police arrest a pro-Independence protester as violence erupted following the sentencing of 12 Catalan leaders yesterday Credit: AP:Associated Press

More than 100 flights were grounded as thousands of protesters brought Barcelona-El Prat international airport to a halt Credit: EPA

PM'S PLEA

Sanchez also urged people to "set aside extremist positions" and "embark on a new phase" for Catalonia.

He added he hoped the prison sentences would mark a turning point in the long standoff between national authorities and separatist lawmakers in Barcelona, the Catalonia region's capital.

The violence comes as the Catalan separatist movement goes through its most difficult period in years.

With a general election scheduled for November 10, its most charismatic leaders are behind bars or abroad after fleeing to avoid prosecution.

'ACT OF VENGENCE'

But secessionists were defiant after the Supreme Court issued its decision in Madrid.

The convicted Catalan leaders - most of whom have been jailed for almost two years - have grown into powerful symbols for the separatists.

Many sympathisers wear yellow ribbons pinned to their clothes as a sign of protest.

Catalan regional president Quim Torra described the court's verdict as "an act of vengeance."

He said it "will not stop us from acting on our determination to build an independent state."

Former regional president Carles Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium in October 2017, said the upcoming general election is an opportunity to show "a massive response of rejection" for the court's verdict.

Puigdemont spoke in Brussels hours after a Spanish Supreme Court judge issued an international warrant for his arrest.

The Catalan government held an independence referendum on October 1, 2017 - despite the country's highest court prohibiting the vote.

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The "yes" side won, but because it was an illegal ballot most voters didn't turn out and the vote count was considered of dubious value.

But the Catalan Parliament unilaterally declared independence three weeks later - triggering Spain's worst political crisis in decades.

The Spanish government stepped in and fired the Catalan regional government, with prosecutors later bringing charges.

A woman covers her mouth as tear gas fills part of the airport during clashes with riot police yesterday Credit: AFP or licensors

Riot police move in to clear protesters from part of the airport Credit: AFP or licensors

Tear gas fills part of the airport building as thousands of pro-Catalan protesters staged a demonstration Credit: AFP or licensors

Luggage trolleys form a barricade at Barcelona airport Credit: AP:Associated Press

Roads were blocked by pro-Catalan protesters in Barcelona Credit: EPA

Riot police aim their batons amid angry scenes in Barcelona last night Credit: AP:Associated Press

Demonstrators take shelter from riot police firing rubber bullets Credit: AP:Associated Press

Pro-Catalan protesters clash with riot cops at Barcelona airport last night after a verdict in a trial over a banned independence referendum Credit: AP:Associated Press