Spanish police clash with protesters in Madrid

Riot police armed with batons clashed with protesters demonstrating against the government's economic policies, and seven officers were injured, officials said Friday.

Television reports showed images of objects being thrown and officers armed with batons hitting protesters near the Interior Ministry in Madrid late Thursday, bloodying some of them.

Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, former Interior Minister and current ruling Socialist Party candidate for Nov. 20 general elections, said that if protests were held in a peaceful manner the police would be tolerant.

"But, if there is violence, then the police has to take action and 200 people can't be allowed to turn a city upside down," Rubalcaba said.

A national police spokeswoman declined to say Friday how many protesters were hurt. But she said four demonstrators were detained for alleged public disorder, including Gorka Ramos, a reporter for online newspaper lainformacion.com. The spokesman spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with police policy.

The news outlet said on its website that 13 protesters were treated for injuries and that Ramos was being held in a Madrid jail, unable to speak to his family or employer.More...