Pablo Hasel: Clashes at more Spain protests in support of arrested rap artist

Protesters in Madrid and Barcelona clashed with police for the second night in a row on Wednesday amid rallies in support of rap artist Pablo Hasel.

Hasel was arrested after barricading himself at a university with dozens of supporters to avoid prison and has portrayed his case as a fight for free speech.

A 24-hour standoff between police and Hasel ended early on Tuesday when anti-riot officers arrested him in northeastern Lleida University.

He was taken to prison to serve a 9-month sentence for insulting the monarchy and glorifying terrorism in a song about former King Juan Carlos I and in 64 tweets.

Protests have taken place across the country since Tuesday.
In Barcelona, thousands of protestors set bins on fire and threw rocks at the police.

Hasel’s case has drawn much attention, with many artists, celebrities and politicians showing their support and demanding a change in the country’s so-called “gag law”.

Spain’s left-wing coalition government last week said it planned to change the country’s criminal code to eliminate prison terms for offences involving freedom of expression.