Protests arise in Madrid against plans of pardoning Catalan Separatists

Tens of thousands of people are protesting in Madrid against controversial plans to pardon jailed Catalan separatists.

Leaders of Spain's right-wing parties joined the demonstration against the pardoning of 12 separatists behind a failed independence attempt in 2017.

Protesters accuse the socialist-led Spanish government of using the plan to shore up its political support.

The government says the pardons will help calm tensions over Catalonia.