Catalan vote: Claims of Spanish police brutality probed

Human rights groups are investigating claims that Spanish police used excessive force to crack down on participants in Catalonia's referendum on secession. At least 893 civilians and 431 police officers were injured in Sunday's clashes, according to regional and national authorities.

Human Rights Watch, a New York-based NGO, said on Tuesday that it has sent a representative to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, to examine allegations it has received of police brutality.

"There are some serious allegations of excessive use of force by police against people who were assembling peacefully to express their views on the referendum," said Kartik Raj, a researcher with HRW.

Videos filmed on voting day appear to show Spanish security forces using a heavy-handed approach as they mobilised. Some officers are shown wielding truncheons as others shot rubber bullets. Reports said force was used under orders from Madrid to shut down polling stations and seize ballot boxes.

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