Barcelona police await fourth night of riots as ex-mayor quizzed for paying squatters' rent

Last night (Wednesday) brought a third night of violent uprising, and the ex-mayor of Barcelona is now being interrogated for having allegedly paid a year's rent on the bank - €65,000 - out of public funds to allow the squatters to stay put.

Xavier Trias, of the now-defunct pro-independence coalition Convergence and Union (CiU), says he paid this to 'buy more time to find a solution' to the squatting problem.

They were first evicted on Monday, which led to firebombing, fights and public fixtures such as benches and bins being smashed up and set alight.

Six people, including two police officers needed medical attention on Wednesday night, and two people were arrested.

One of these, a 30-year-old Spanish man was found to be carrying a rucksack filled with fire-lighters.

At least 500 protesters, many with their faces covered and wearing backpacks filled with stones and inflammable material, spread out in small groups around the C/ Gran in the Gràcia neighbourhood, setting fire to wheelie-bins and staging human barricades to stop police getting into the bank building.

Some nearby residents sprayed burning bins and benches with hoses from their own balconies, fearing their homes would be affected by the fire.

After around 45 minutes, at about 23.15hrs, the groups moved to the C/ Asturias, and riot police used sound guns to disperse the protesters.

A human chain around the bank was broken up and police blocked off all surrounding streets.

Meanwhile, reporters covering the riots were insulted and attacked by local residents.

Mayoress Ada Colau has called for 'more moderate action' from the Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalunya's answer to the Guardia Civil.

She says she is less concerned about the squatters than about the widespread vandalism, which has already caused nearly €80,000 worth of damage.