Thousands of residents of Catalonia in north-eastern Spain continued their protests for a second day on the back of jail terms for 12 separatist leaders, leading to clashes with police.
The protesters chose to besiege the building of the official headquarters of the Spanish government in Barcelona, stressing that this will not be the last protest in Catalonia.
Riot police dispersed a crowd of protesters, fired tear gas and arrested three people, while local media reported that nine people had received medical treatment after being injured.
Acting Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell accused the separatist leaders of Catalonia of operating in a "holistic" manner.
Torrell added that the root of the problem is that the separatist movement ignores Catalans who do not prefer secession.
Earlier on Monday, the Spanish Supreme Court sentenced 12 politicians and activists from Catalonia to prison for inciting secession in 2017.
Spain's public prosecutor demanded in February that the 12 defendants be jailed for between seven and 25 years.
In early October 2017, about 90% voted for secession in a referendum organized by the former territorial government led by Carl Bugdemont.
The Catalan parliament voted on 27 March to declare the secession, prompting Madrid to sack the provincial government and impose direct rule.