Blocus 'leader' arrested by Spanish police after protests turn violent

The suspected founder of the Spanish ‘Blocus’ chapter has been arrested, police in Madrid said.The man, whose name has not been released, was allegedly using the social media app Telegram to coordinate teams of protesters, and he is accused of disseminating a video featuring an individual in a hood claiming to be the Blocus movement’s leader.The Interior Ministry confirmed that six other people connected to Blocus have been arrested in Spain.Blocus has, in recent days, been accused of using social media to exploit student protests, and using legitimate demonstrations as a cover for violence and looting.Anti-establishment protests have been organised via online channels with the slogan "Instituts Indignats" (Indignant High Schools), in what is believed to be solidarity with the recent ’Lycées Indignés’ student movement in France.Blocus-affiliated Telegram groups have been shut down for violating the messaging platform's terms of service. Messages posted in ‌the ⁠groups encouraged participants to wear black clothing and Halloween masks on October 31 and, in some cases, promoted looting and vandalism.An employee inspects an optician's shop looted the previous night during riots, in Barcelona on October 25 (AFP/Getty)The investigation is linked to unrest in Barcelona on October 24 in which around 500 people took part, according to ​the Civil Guard ​police force.Violence during ⁠the protests led to the arrest of 132 people, including 83 minors and 49 adults, Catalan police said.Police said they ​were still investigating while preparing security deployments for further demonstrations ​planned for Saturday, mirroring similar calls for action seen in France, as they sought to identify and close channels used to coordinate the unrest.Investigators are also examining the spread ⁠of ​false alarm messages on social media. Madrid's Metro ​operator said on Thursday that reports circulating online of a bomb threat were a hoax.It comes after weeks of protests in France spilt over into violence and damage to property.The Lycée Ingignes protests started with pupils, parents and teachers at one school in the Paris suburbs going on strike to highlight staff shortages.The protests were picked up by other high schools across France and quickly snowballed into mass anti-government marches.French authorities have responded with tight curfews in affected areas, as well as mass arrests and security crackdowns.