CATALONIA
'The first witness to take the stand reported seeing "very violent
conduct" by Spanish police officers who he said "beat people and pulled
people by the hair," while another said he was forcefully removed by officers, who then kicked him "twice in the back."
Another witness, Joan Pau Salvadó, spoke about police beating voters
despite the "peaceful" nature of the voters, raising their hands and
saying "we only want to vote."
Asked why he went to vote that day, Salvadó answered the prosecutors: "It was the most important day of my life."
Albert Salvadó, another witness testifying this morning, told the
court: "The first officers brought people out without violence, but they
were forceful. After that, more police arrived, who exercised explicit
violence. I saw several friends with shirts destroyed with blood."
Salvadó also denied any suggestion of violence on behalf of the voters, adding there were insults to police but no threats.
According to the Catalan health department, CatSalut, some 1,066 people
received medical attention for injuries sustained on the day of the
referendum. In fact, the head of CatSalut at the time, David Elvira, is
also due to testify on Tuesday.'
