Updated Oct 17, 2019

In photos: Unrest in Barcelona after Spain jails Catalan separatists

Rebecca Falconer

Barcelona firefighters put out fires during protests on October 16, 2019 in Barcelona — Barcelona firefighters put out blazes during protests on Wednesday. Photo: Robert Marquardt/Getty Images

Barcelona's streets were ablaze Wednesday night, as police and protesters clashed after thousands turned out for a third day to rally for independence from Spain, Reuters reports.

The big picture: Peaceful protests against Spain’s Supreme Court sentencing of 9 Catalan separatist leaders this week to 9–13 years in prison for charges including sedition erupted into violence, with reports of riot police firing tear gas and activists throwing petrol bombs and torching cars, per the Guardian.

A car ablaze in Barcelona — A car ablaze on Barcelona's streets. Reuters reports that "police charged at protesters and fired foam projectiles" in some places. Photo: Pau Venteo/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Riot police fire rubber bullets at the protesters. Photo by Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images

Protestors clash against Spanish police forces in the streets of Barcelona over the third day of protests — Fires are lit in the street amid clashes with police. Photo: Andrea Baldo/LightRocket via Getty Images

Demonstrators set on fire a barricade in a clash with police on October 16, 2019 in Barcelona — A barricade is set alight in a Barcelona street. Photo: Robert Marquardt/Getty Images

Protest walk in Barcelona, Spain, on October 16, 2019, a day after police arrested 51 people across Catalonia overnight — A peaceful march in Barcelona protesting police arresting 51 people across Catalonia over Tuesday night over the pro-independence protests. Photo: Carles Palacio/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Catalan regional police officers clash withprotesters during a rally outside the Spanish Government Delegation in Barcelona on Tuesday. — The BBC reports riot police in Barcelona fired tear gas at protesters, who tried to storm Spanish government offices on Tuesday. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images

Protester clash with Catalan regional police 'Mossos D'Esquadra' officers during a protest in Barcelona — Protesters try to remove barriers during a rally in Barcelona. Protests also took place in the Catalan cities of Tarragona and Girona. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images

Protesters film a fire outside the Spanish Government Delegation. — Protesters film a fire outside the Spanish Government Delegation in Barcelona. Photo: Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images

People hold a Catalan flag and light candles during a protest against the jailing of Catalan separatists in Mallorca Street near the Spanish Government Delegation on October 15, 2019 in Barcelona — A candle-lit vigil for the imprisoned Catalan separatists in Mallorca Street near the Spanish Government Delegation in Barcelona. Photo: Alex Caparros/Getty Images

A protester shouts during a rally in Barcelona. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images

People protest holding their mobile phones and a Catalan pro-independence "Estelada" flag in Barcelona — Protesters carrying a Catalan pro-independence "Estelada" flag through Barcelona's streets. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images

Protesters burn garbage containers during protests in Barcelona on October 15 — Protesters burn garbage containers a day after thousands of pro-independence activists clashed with police at Barcelona's main airport, El Prat. Photo: Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images

Protesters clash with Spanish policemen outside El Prat airport in Barcelona on October 14 — Spanish police and protesters clash outside El Prat airport in Barcelona, which protesters stormed on Monday, per the BBC. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images

Go deeper: Anger in Catalonia over harsh sentences for separtists

Editor's note: This article has been updated with the latest protest developments and more photos.