Mossos d'Esquadra

Fugitive Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has left Spain for Belgium after briefly addressing supporters in Barcelona, his party said Friday, raising questions over how he was able to evade arrest again.

CATALONIA is set to defy any attempt by Madrid to impose direct rule over the region which will see the region's police stand in defiance of control from the Spanish capital, The Daily Express reports.

The number of injured people by the police operation in Catalonia is at least 337, local services said.

Earlier, Spanish media reported that police have detained protesters in Barcelona and used rubber bullets to disperse them. They also reported that there were injured citizens.

Supporters of Catalan independence began occupying polling stations on Friday, setting up a possible confrontation with police who have been ordered to clear them out by Sunday morning to ensure a referendum cannot go ahead.

Police in Catalonia on Tuesday concentrated efforts on sealing off buildings expected to house polling stations for this week's planned independence referendum, reports DW. 

Catalonia's chief prosecutor ordered security forces to close up buildings and guard them until Sunday's vote to avoid any ballots from being cast.