01-Mar-21: 'Former Barça president arrested while club officers are searched'

The alleged hiring of a social media company to discredit perceived enemies including players like Messi, or coach Pep Guardiola, has led to the arrest of former Barça president Josep Maria Bartomeu. The police also detained the club's CEO, the legal head and a former Bartomeu board member. This comes as the blaugrana will pick their new president in a vote this Sunday.

Spain's public prosecutor filed a lawsuit against parliament president Roger Torrent and 3 other board members. The reason: having accepted debating and voting on self-determination and against the crown in the chamber. A potential conviction for disobedience would not carry a jail sentence.

The prosecutor also appealed a court decision to provisionally allow two jailed pro-independence leaders' regular leaves. Spain's Supreme Court will have the final say – last December the top judges already removed such privileges.

Shopping malls opened again today after almost two months closed. Covid-19 restrictions slightly loosened and could be further eased from next Monday.

The world's biggest audiovisual fair, ISE, will in the end host its 2021 edition in Barcelona in-person. Organizers acknowledge there will be a lower attendance. Last month, they pledged compulsory Covid-19 testing for all attendees.