Spain: Catalan protesters set fires to block Girona road

Catalan protesters set fires to block Girona road. They are protesting against the ongoing trial of a dozen Catalan separatist leaders.

Girona (Spain): Pro-Catalan independence protesters set fire to barricades as they blocked part of the AP7 motorway in Girona on Thursday morning.

Labour unions and political parties have called for a general strike to protest against the ongoing trial of a dozen Catalan separatist leaders who drove an independence bid in 2017.

The trial of the 12 high-profile separatists started this week in Spain's Supreme Court in Madrid.

They are facing charges for having ignored a court ban on holding a secession referendum and for issuing a declaration of independence that received no international recognition in October 2017.

Separatists claim that Catalonia has a right to self-determination.

Spain's government says any vote on independence would require the national Parliament to amend the Constitution.