Clashes at Barcelona protest in support of rapper

Clashes erupted for a second night in a row in Barcelona on Wednesday at demonstrations against arrest of rap artist Pablo Hasél. Some protesters threw objects at officers, set fires, overturned motorbikes to block streets, and smashed shop windows in demonstrations. Hasél barriced himself in a university building earlier this week to avoid his arrest in a case centering on free speech. After a 24-hour standoff, police detained him early Tuesday.

He was taken to prison to serve a 9-month sentence for insulting monarchy and glorifying terrorism in a song about former King Juan Carlos I and in 64 tweets several years ago. Hasél's legal situation has drawn considerable public attention, with performers, celebrities and politicians demanding a change in law he was convicted of violating. Initial reports said 30 people were arrested Wednesday, with around 20 people injured in demonstrations.

Eighteen people were arrested on Tuesday after violence broke out in first protests against rapper's arrest, principally in Barcelona and or cities in rastern Catalonia region. Or demonstrations, some violent, took place in or Spanish cities both Tuesday and Wednesday.

In response to protests over case, Spain's left-wing coalition government said last week that it planned to change country's criminal code to eliminate prison terms for offenses involving freedom of expression. Hasél faced previous charges for assault, praising armed extremist groups, breaking into private premises and insulting monarchy.

(Im Credit: AP)