THOUSANDS marched in cities across Spain yesterday in protest at a gagging law due to come into force next month.

Protesters near parliament sealed their mouths with tape and waved banners denouncing the law.

The Public Security Law imposes a range of fines on individuals who take part in “spontaneous” protests.

Demonstrations will be banned in front of parliament buildings and other “strategic” institutions, with fines ranging from €100 (£75) to €600,000 (£450,000).

Showing “a lack of respect” for police will also be criminalised, and Human Rights Watch warned that new rules allow authorities to hand out penalties without the usual trial process.

Spanish Communist Party spokesman Miguel Angel Garrido said the government sought to “impose repressive and restrictive legislation to prevent the right to mobilise against the social emergency created to maintain the privileges of a tiny minority.”