Riots caused by the arrest of rapper Pablo Hasél, which began on the evening of February 16, 2021 and were accompanied by pogroms and attacks on the police.
The arrest of rapper Pablo Hasél for speech-related offenses triggered nationwide protests in Spain, exposing tensions over freedom of expression laws and straining the ruling coalition.
Key Facts
- Arrest date
- 16 February 2021
- Prison sentence (glorification)
- 2 years (first sentence)
- Second prison sentence
- 9 months
- Lèse-majesté fine
- 10,800 euros EUR
- Insulting state institutions fine
- 6,750 euros EUR
- Ordering authority
- Spanish Audiencia Nacional, Madrid
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Pablo Hasél, a Catalan rapper, had been convicted of glorifying terrorism in songs and tweets, as well as Lèse-majesté and insulting state institutions. Spanish courts issued combined prison sentences and fines, and when he refused to surrender voluntarily, the Audiencia Nacional ordered his arrest.
On 16 February 2021, Spanish authorities arrested Hasél at the University of Lleida, where he had barricaded himself with supporters. Beginning that same evening, protests erupted across multiple Spanish cities, with some demonstrations escalating into violence, property destruction, and clashes with police.
The protests created a rift within Spain's coalition government, with PSOE members backing the police response and Podemos members expressing solidarity with demonstrators. The unrest coincided with the government announcing plans to reform laws governing speech-related crimes, reflecting broader debate over freedom of expression in Spain.
Political Outcome
Widespread protests across Spain followed the arrest; the coalition government announced a review of freedom-of-expression legislation amid internal divisions between PSOE and Podemos.