In Spain, thousands of Catalans have protested against the detention of eight regional ministers sacked over Catalonia's push for independence from the country. Yesterday, thousands of people gathered outside Catalonia's regional parliament in Barcelona carrying Catalan flags and slogans that read Freedom for political prisoners. Similar protest rallies were also held in other Catalan towns. Political parties and civic groups in the affluent north-eastern region also condemned the judicial move.<br/>'<br/>Meanwhile, in a statement broadcast on Catalan TV from an undisclosed location in Belgium, ousted leader Carles Puigdemont said the detentions is an act that breaks with the basic principles of democracy and demanded the release of the ministers. Puigdemont, also said he will not return to Spain unless he receives guarantees of a fair trial. <br/>'<br/><br/>Spain's High Court has ordered eight former ministers from Catalonia's dissolved government to be detained without bail, while the state prosecutor sought a Europe-wide arrest warrant for ousted leader Carles Puigdemont.