18 injured as Spanish protesters clash with police

18 injured as Spanish protesters clash with police

2011-06-09 23:39:09 GMT+7 (ICT)

VALENCIA, SPAIN (BNO NEWS) -- At least 18 people on Thursday were injured when police clashed with protesters in the Spanish city of Valencia, El Pais newspaper reported.

The clash occurred a few meters away from the Valencia regional parliament as new legislators, many of whom are facing corruption charges, were due to take office. At least 18 people were injured, including 10 protesters and eight officers.

Police claim that the protesters began the attacks, while the 15-M movement denies the allegations. The 15-M protest movement was launched last month before the elections to demand a reform of Spain's democratic system.

According to police, the officers were trying to isolate an "uncontrolled group of protesters" who were attacking police officers. The 15-M movement, however, insists that it "has never attacked the police" and blamed an anti-establishment group for the attacks.

Last month, at least 100 people were injured after police tried to disperse protesters in Barcelona to end two weeks of demonstrations against high unemployment and the Spanish government's austerity measures. According to police, they were trying to dismantle the camp in the Plaza de Catalunya to allow cleaners to enter the square. Protesters, however, refused to move, claiming that they were being evicted.

Tens of thousands of people began protesting in the main Spanish cities to demand a reform of Spain's democratic system ahead of the local and regional elections that took place on May 22.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-09