Catalan officials condemn attack on cameraman in protest

Catalan politicians across the spectrum condemned the attack to a cameraman during a demonstration against yellow ribbons held on Wednesday in Barcelona.

The Catalan president Quim Torra expressed his "support and solidarity" with the journalist from broadcaster Telemadrid, who was attacked after being mistakenly identified as a Catalan TV3 worker.

Ada Colau, mayor of Barcelona, also condemned the incident, saying that the Catalan capital is a city which "rejects violence and defends the freedom of the press."

Shortly after the events, the main association of Catalan journalists said that they had "zero tolerance" to attacks to professionals.

The parties supporting the demonstration against the yellow signs, put up in public spaces in solidarity with the pro-independence jailed leaders, also criticized the attack, including the People's Party and Ciutadans, the force promoting the rally.

Ciutadans president Albert Rivera said the assailant was not part of the organization and also claimed that he also threatened some of his party members. "No democrat can accept violence," said Rivera.

The reporter was punched four times after a frenzied crowd encircled him, with some of them pointing to him and pointing out that he was a TV3 worker.