Spanish rapper arrested following protest against curbs on free speech

Pablo Hasel was escorted by riot police out of Lleida University’s rectorate building where he and over 50 supporters had locked themselves in since mid-Monday

Rap singer Pablo Hasel is detained by police officers.  Picture: Joan Mateu/AP

A 24-hour standoff between police and a Spanish rapper barricaded with dozens of his supporters in a university ended with anti-riot officers arresting the artist.

Pablo Hasel was escorted by riot police out of Lleida University’s rectorate building, in the northeastern Catalonia region, where he and over 50 supporters had locked themselves in since mid-Monday.