Night has descended on another day of protests in Barcelona, which saw the city's downtown filled with angry Catalans protesting the detention of fugitive former leader Carles Puigdemont in Germany.

Police dressed in riot gear struck demonstrators with batons as they tried to push back crowds advancing on the office of the Spanish government's representative in Catalonia.

Other protesters rallied in front of the office of the European Commission.

A sister protest erupted in the northern city of Girona, where Puigdemont was mayor before he became regional president in 2016.

Thousands answered the call by a pro-independence grassroots group to protest in the Barcelona's center hours after Puigdemont was detained by German police.

It comes after protests swept the city on Friday, continuing into Saturday, triggered by Spain's High Court jailing of five Catalan politicians who played a role in the region's declaration of independence.

However, a grassroots group in favor of Catalonia staying a part of Spain called for another gathering at the same time in Barcelona to show their support for the Constitution in front of the office of the Spanish government's representative in Catalonia.

Puigdemont fled from Spain in October following an illegal declaration of independence by the region.

His lawyer Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas confirmed German police stopped him on Sunday when he was crossing the border to enter Denmark.

Puigdemont will appear before a judge tomorrow, court officials said.

'The sole purpose of this appearance is to verify the identity of the person arrested. The regional tribunal of Schleswig-Holstein in the town of Schleswig will then have to decide if Mr Puigdemont has to be taken into custody' in view of handing him over to Spain, the court said.

The court will then decide if Puigdemont will be formally taken into custody pending extradition proceedings, it added.

Judges 'will establish on the basis of documents provided by the Kingdom of Spain... if Mr Puigdemont's transfer to the Spanish authorities is legally founded,' the court said.

It added that the 55-year-old was currently in detention without providing further details.

The Schleswig prosecutor's office said in a statement that 'the question of whether Mr. Puigdemont has to be taken into extradition custody, will then have to be determined by the higher regional court in Schleswig.'

The statement says that the court will check, based on extradition documents by Spain, if the handover of Puigdemont to Spanish authorities is 'legally permissible.'

Another former Catalan minister wanted by Spain for her role in last year's independence bid was also 'making arrangements' to surrender to authorities in Scotland, where she had fled to.

A few hours after Puigdemont was arrested in Germany, a spokesman from Police Scotland said: 'We can confirm that we are in possession of a European arrest warrant for Clara Ponsati.

'We have made a number of enquiries to try to trace her and have now been contacted by her solicitor, who is making arrangements for Ms Ponsati to hand herself into police.'

Scotland's leader says officials are legally obliged to follow the extradition procedures for a fugitive Catalan politician in Scotland, even though her government strongly opposes Spain's decision to arrest and imprison Catalonia's separatist leaders.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that Scotland's support for Catalan self-determination is 'well-established,' adding on Twitter on Sunday: 'I know that many will wish @scotgov was able to do or say more - I understand that.'

But she said that Scottish officials must follow extradition laws, and that the independence of the legal system must be respected despite the government's political views.

Spain's Supreme Court said Friday it would prosecute 13 key Catalan separatists including Ponsati for 'rebellion', a crime which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in jail.</s>He was taken into custody by German police on Sunday after Spain issued an arrest warrant.

As news emerged of his detention, thousands took to the streets to denounce the move.

One protester said: "It's a mix of rage, sadness, fear, disappointment and defenselessness in face of everything that happens in Catalonia - and the fact that rest of the liberal opinion in Spain is staying silent."

Another said: "I think most of the people gathered here are leaning towards the idea of a general strike, an indefinite general strike, because to face repression one can only take to the streets, paralyse the country and take down its infrastructures and media."

Waving Catalan pro-independence flags - and calling for political prisoners to be released, demonstrators marched on the Spanish government's headquarters.

Gabriel Colomé, Professor of Political Science at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, said: "The conflict could worsen If the leadership on the streets in taken by the radical CDR party, the Committees in Defense of the Republic. We could have a problem because the situation could become like Nortthern Ireland. They don't mind if there would be no economic recovery, or no more integration into europe - they are anti-Europe and anti-system."

Our correspondent Cristina Giner says: Puigdemont's expected appearance in a German court has upped the ante with some calling for a sustained general strike.</s>The protests followed the Sunday's Puigdemont's detention on a European arrest warrant in Germany on his way to Belgium, as he was wanted in Spain for sedition and rebellion.

He is expected to appear in a German court later on Monday. Puigdemont's arrest sparked protests across Catalonia, with about 50,000 people taking to the streets to show their support for the Catalan ex-leader.

READ MORE: Detention of Ex-Catalan Head Based on European Arrest Warrant — Justice Ministry

According to Europa Press agency, five of the detained people were released Sunday night and are waiting to appear before the court, while the other four will face trial later on Monday.

Earlier in the day, the Catalan medical services reported that around 100 people had sought medical care in Barcelona, including 23 law enforcement officials. As many as seven other people were injured in the city of Lleida and one person in Tarragona.

The protests were initiated by the public organizations the Catalan National Assembly and Omnium Cultural, which called for protest actions near the Spanish government's offices in Catalonia.

READ MORE: Puigdemont Ready for Talks With Madrid Regarding His Return to Spain

On October 1, Catalonia held an independence referendum, during which the vast majority of voters backed the region's secession from Spain. The plebiscite was not recognized by Madrid, which subsequently imposed direct rule over the autonomous region and dismissed its government. Several ministers of the former Catalan government were arrested, while several others managed to leave Spain. Puigdemont has resided in Belgium since fleeing Spain in October.</s>Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Catalan protesters clash with police in Barcelona

Protests broke out across the Spanish region of Catalonia on Sunday after former leader Carles Puigdemont was taken into custody in Germany.

At least 89 people were injured in clashes with police and four arrests were made.

Mr Puigdemont, who is wanted in Spain for sedition and rebellion, was detained by German police acting on a European arrest warrant.

He appeared before a German judge on Monday and was remanded in custody.

Prosecutor Georg-Friedrich Guentge said Mr Puigdemont "appeared calm and composed".

Mr Puigdemont was detained while crossing from Denmark on his way to Belgium, where he has been living in self-imposed exile since Catalonia's parliament unilaterally declared independence from Spain in October.

A European warrant for his arrest was reissued on Friday.

Who is protesting?

In central Barcelona, protesters chanted "Freedom for the political prisoners" and "This Europe is shameful!" as they headed to the offices of the European Commission and the German consulate.

Spanish news agency Efe estimated crowds of 55,000 in the centre of the city.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption People tie yellow ribbons - a symbol of support for jailed Catalan politicians - to a fence outside the German Consulate in Barcelona

Smaller demonstrations were held in Girona, where Mr Puigdemont once served as mayor, Tarragona and Lleida. Some protesters also formed road blocks in various locations.

Tensions in Catalonia are very high and its separatist leaders abandoned plans to name a new president after the arrest on Friday of the latest candidate, Jordi Turull, sparked protests in Barcelona.

Image copyright EPA Image caption An image of Spain's King Felipe VI was burnt at a protest in Girona

Spain's Supreme Court has ruled 25 that Catalan leaders should be tried for rebellion, embezzlement or disobeying the state. They all deny the allegations.

How was Carles Puigdemont caught?

German police said that Mr Puigdemont was detained by a highway patrol in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, which borders Denmark.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Mr Puigdemont had been living in Belgium

He had been on a trip to Finland to meet lawmakers and attend a conference last week when the arrest warrant against him was reissued, taking him by surprise.

He slipped out of Finland before the authorities could arrest him but only got as far as Germany before being intercepted.

His spokesman, Joan Maria Pique, said he had been heading to Belgium "to put himself, as always, at the disposal of Belgian justice".

International warrants for Mr Puigdemont and other Catalan leaders were withdrawn in December by a Spanish judge, who said they had shown a willingness to return to the country.

What happens next?

Mr Puigdemont spent Sunday night in a prison in the north German town of Neumünster.

His court appearance there on Monday was a formality to confirm his identity. The court remanded him in custody pending extradition proceedings.

Mr Puigdemont faces charges of sedition, rebellion and misappropriation of public funds in Spain as a result of his role in last year's Catalan banned independence referendum. The charges in Spain could result in up to 30 years in prison.

Germany has 60 days to decide whether to return him.

In order to do so, its judges need to assess whether the Spanish charges are punishable under German law.

Criminal lawyer Martin Heger told Germany's Spiegel website (in German) that the lesser charge of misappropriation of public funds was also a crime under German law, and therefore it was clear that the exiled ex-leader would have to be extradited.

However, if he is extradited on that charge, he can only be tried on that offence.

It is unclear whether the alleged crimes of rebellion and sedition are punishable in Germany.

The extradition procedure can last about two months.

Mt Puigdemont also has the right to oppose the warrant and apply for asylum in Germany.

Spain's latest move is considered the most serious challenge to date to the Catalan independence movement. Almost the entire leadership now faces a major legal fight.

Various other Catalan politicians have been subjected to new warrants, including Catalonia's former education minister, Clara Ponsati. She is in Scotland, where she has a position at the University of St Andrews, and is preparing to hand herself in.

The number of European arrest warrants issued has increased since 2005, according to EU figures. In 2015, about 16,000 warrants were issued and about 5,000 executed.

How did we get here?

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Why is there a Catalan crisis? The answer is in its past, as Europe correspondent Gavin Lee explains

1 October 2017: The independence referendum takes place in Catalonia; it is deemed illegal by Spain and boycotted by many potential voters

27 October: Catalonia's leaders declare independence, which leads to the Spanish government imposing direct rule on the region and dissolving its parliament

30 October: Charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds are brought against various sacked members of the Catalan government, including Mr Puigdemont

2 November: Several former Catalan ministers are taken into custody in Spain

3 November: European arrest warrants are issued against Mr Puigdemont and four of his allies, who have all fled to Belgium

5 December: A Spanish judge withdraws the European arrest warrants but says the group still face possible charges for sedition and rebellion

21 December: Carles Puigdemont is re-elected to parliament during Catalan's regional elections - which Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy had called to "restore democracy"

1 March 2018: Mr Puigdemont says he is stepping aside and he backs detained activist Jordi Sanchez to run as Catalonia's president

21 March: Mr Sanchez drops his leadership bid and instead the candidacy is passed to Jordi Turull, who the following day is rejected by hardline separatists

23 March: Mr Turull and various others are arrested in Spain, and the European arrest warrants are reissued

25 March: Mr Puigdemont is detained in Germany</s>Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Spain with police firing shots into the air and speeding vans towards protesters in an attempt to disperse crowds. Hundreds of people have been injured with several demonstrators arrested as they clashed with police on Sunday evening after the arrest of former Catalan President Mr Puigdemont in Germany. In Barcelona, a pro-independence rally took place in front of the Government Delegation building before the protesters and riot police clashed. In the shocking footage, police can be seen firing shots into the air in Lerida as they tried to control the crowds.

In Barcelona, riot police were seen charging towards crowds of protestors waving batons. Police also sped riot vans towards the crowds to break-up the groups. Several thousand demonstrators also gathered in front of the European Commission's Barcelona offices to demand the release of the former President Mr Puigdemont. Protesters reportedly chanted “this Europe is shameful” as they marched towards the European Commission building. Mr Puigdemont spent Sunday night in prison in Germany after he was “retained” by German police after crossing from Denmark by car on Sunday.

His lawyer, Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas confirmed on Sunday: “Carles Puigdemont has been retained in Germany when he was crossing the border from Denmark, on his way back to Belgium from Denmark.” He added in a second message: “He has been treated correctly at all times. “At the moment, he is in a police station and his jurisdictional defence has now been activated.” Mr Puigdemont's spokesman Joan Maria Pique added: "The president was going to Belgium to put himself, as always, at the disposal of Belgian justice."

Mr Puigdemont will appear before judges at the prosecutor's office on Monday to decide if he will be retained in police custody, or if he remains on probation before being returned to Spain. If convicted Mr Puigdemont faces up to 25 years in prison in Spain on charges of rebellion and sedition for organising the referendum, which led to a unilateral declaration of independence in October. Spanish Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena ruled that 25 Catalan separatist politicians would face charges of rebellion, embezzlement and disobeying the state for their roles in organising the vote on secession, triggering protests and clashes with police in Barcelona.</s>Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Spain with police firing shots into the air and speeding vans towards protesters in an attempt to disperse crowds. Hundreds of people have been injured with several demonstrators arrested as they clashed with police on Sunday evening after the arrest of former Catalan President Mr Puigdemont in Germany. In Barcelona, a pro-independence rally took place in front of the Government Delegation building before the protesters and riot police clashed. In the shocking footage, police can be seen firing shots into the air in Lerida as they tried to control the crowds.

In Barcelona, riot police were seen charging towards crowds of protestors waving batons. Police also sped riot vans towards the crowds to break-up the groups. Several thousand demonstrators also gathered in front of the European Commission's Barcelona offices to demand the release of the former President Mr Puigdemont. Protesters reportedly chanted “this Europe is shameful” as they marched towards the European Commission building. Mr Puigdemont spent Sunday night in prison in Germany after he was “retained” by German police after crossing from Denmark by car on Sunday.

His lawyer, Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas confirmed on Sunday: “Carles Puigdemont has been retained in Germany when he was crossing the border from Denmark, on his way back to Belgium from Denmark.” He added in a second message: “He has been treated correctly at all times. “At the moment, he is in a police station and his jurisdictional defence has now been activated.” Mr Puigdemont's spokesman Joan Maria Pique added: "The president was going to Belgium to put himself, as always, at the disposal of Belgian justice."

Mr Puigdemont will appear before judges at the prosecutor's office on Monday to decide if he will be retained in police custody, or if he remains on probation before being returned to Spain. If convicted Mr Puigdemont faces up to 25 years in prison in Spain on charges of rebellion and sedition for organising the referendum, which led to a unilateral declaration of independence in October. Spanish Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena ruled that 25 Catalan separatist politicians would face charges of rebellion, embezzlement and disobeying the state for their roles in organising the vote on secession, triggering protests and clashes with police in Barcelona.</s>Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Spain with police firing shots into the air and speeding vans towards protesters in an attempt to disperse crowds. Hundreds of people have been injured with several demonstrators arrested as they clashed with police on Sunday evening after the arrest of former Catalan President Mr Puigdemont in Germany. In Barcelona, a pro-independence rally took place in front of the Government Delegation building before the protesters and riot police clashed. In the shocking footage, police can be seen firing shots into the air in Lerida as they tried to control the crowds.

In Barcelona, riot police were seen charging towards crowds of protestors waving batons. Police also sped riot vans towards the crowds to break-up the groups. Several thousand demonstrators also gathered in front of the European Commission's Barcelona offices to demand the release of the former President Mr Puigdemont. Protesters reportedly chanted “this Europe is shameful” as they marched towards the European Commission building. Mr Puigdemont spent Sunday night in prison in Germany after he was “retained” by German police after crossing from Denmark by car on Sunday.

His lawyer, Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas confirmed on Sunday: “Carles Puigdemont has been retained in Germany when he was crossing the border from Denmark, on his way back to Belgium from Denmark.” He added in a second message: “He has been treated correctly at all times. “At the moment, he is in a police station and his jurisdictional defence has now been activated.” Mr Puigdemont's spokesman Joan Maria Pique added: "The president was going to Belgium to put himself, as always, at the disposal of Belgian justice."

Mr Puigdemont will appear before judges at the prosecutor's office on Monday to decide if he will be retained in police custody, or if he remains on probation before being returned to Spain. If convicted Mr Puigdemont faces up to 25 years in prison in Spain on charges of rebellion and sedition for organising the referendum, which led to a unilateral declaration of independence in October. Spanish Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena ruled that 25 Catalan separatist politicians would face charges of rebellion, embezzlement and disobeying the state for their roles in organising the vote on secession, triggering protests and clashes with police in Barcelona.</s>Crowds clash with police in Barcelona as Catalans protest arrest of fugitive former leader Carles Puigdemont in Germany

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Crowds clash with police in Barcelona as Catalans protest arrest of fugitive former leader Carles Puigdemont in Germany.</s>Following the arrest and detention on foreign soil of Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, protests broke out in Barcelona, quickly turning violent as riot police attempted to prevent marchers from assembling. At least 79 have been injured, including police.

After the Spanish Supreme Court issued a European arrest warrant for Puigdemont last Friday, the popular Catalan leader was detained on Sunday in Germany after evading arrest in Finland. Puigdemont, facing up to 25 years in prison, is accused of rebellion and sedition, after leading what Madrid decried as an illegal pro-independence referendum in late 2017. Several colleagues have also been jailed and face trial.</s>Tens of thousands demonstrated in the streets of the Catalan capital after former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont was detained in Germany on Sunday.
Protests erupt across Spain, especially in Barcelona, against Puigdemont's detention.