MADRID (AP) – Revolutions broke out this week in many Spanish cities during protests over freedom of expression for the imprisonment of a little-known kidnapper for insulting the Spanish monarchy and praising terrorism.
But the issue has now become a hot potato for the country’s coalition government, with the far-left junior partner apologizing to the rapper – while criticizing police for alleged brutality.
WHO IS THIS PAUL HASEL?
Until a few weeks ago, Hasél, 32, was not a well-known name in Spain. An acid-speaking, anti-establishment rapper is considered a poet by some and a punk by others.
Supporter of the secession of Catalonia from Spain, he had some connections with the law, which brought him several sentences, although he has not yet been imprisoned. In addition to his tweets and lyrics, he was also charged with assault, obstruction of justice and violation and entry.
But he recently relapsed with a song and tweets insulting former King Juan Carlos I and praising terrorist groups, prompting authorities to demand his arrest and imprison him in his hometown of Lleida in the north. eastern Catalonia, to serve a nine-month sentence.
RADICAL LYRICS
Hasél has shaken many feathers and angered the authorities over the past decade. In insults to the monarchy, he described the former king as “a mobster who robbed the Spanish kingdom.”
In tweets, he referred to a late member of the late Basque armed terrorist group ETA as “exterminated by the state of torture.” In other compositions, he praised other terrorist groups and supported the bombings on Spanish state television and Basque socialist politician Patxi López.
While some saw this as an exercise of his right to free speech, the law was of a different opinion.
protests
Hasél had warned that he would not surrender voluntarily to fulfill his mandate. He met with supporters at a university in Lleida last Monday for 24 hours before the police took him away – without a mask and shouting angry slogans at supporters.
The protests, peaceful at first, have spread to several Catalan cities, including Barcelona. Hooded protesters began throwing objects at police and setting fire to rubbish bins to set up street barricades. Police responded with foam bullets and baton charges. A young woman lost an eye.
On Tuesday, protests spread across the country, with serious unrest in Madrid. Wednesday’s protests were fewer and smaller, but again violent.
AN UNPOPULAR LAW
Under fire is the Public Security Act, drafted by a previous Conservative government, which many believed was designed to reduce anti-government protests and protect the police.
The law has been used against other rappers and tweeters – even puppeteers. Hasél’s case has sparked criticism from Amnesty International and prompted a petition from around 200 cultural figures, including director Pedro Almodóvar and actor Javier Bardem.
The coalition government, feeling growing pressure, has promised to amend the penal code to eliminate prison sentences for crimes involving freedom of expression.
NO IMMEDIATE FINALS IN VIEW
With several protests, the Spanish government and police forces are tasked with calming the situation on the street and easing the political debate.
The government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has defended the police and hit violence, but he must contain the division with his far-left coalition partner. United We Can’s avoidance of publicly condemning the violence has fueled opposition, calls for its government to be ousted, which could overthrow the coalition and trigger new national elections.