MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Madrid's violent actions in Catalonia aimed at preventing the referendum indicate a shift in Spain toward authoritarianism, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Sunday.
Amid violent clashes between police and local residents, the WikiLeaks founder called for protection of the freedom of expression.
It is hard to imagine Rajoy surviving the images of his heavy handed tactics in Barcelona today--short of moving Spain into populist authoritarianism.
— Julian Assange 🔹 (@JulianAssange) 1 октября 2017 г.
— Julian Assange 🔹 (@JulianAssange) 1 октября 2017 г.
— Julian Assange 🔹 (@JulianAssange) 1 октября 2017 г.
Earlier in the day, a number of polling stations opened across Catalonia. The Spanish government considers the vote illegal and is taking measures aimed at foiling the referendum. According to media reports, police resorted to rubber bullets to disperse the protesters, who attempted to prevent police from shutting down the polling stations.
This is the real Spanish state--and why Catalonia wants to leave it. pic.twitter.com/ppCpS3uSxQ
— Julian Assange 🔹 (@JulianAssange) 1 октября 2017 г.
