At least seven protesters have been arrested near Spain's parliament and 23 were injured during a demonstration against draft legislation that aims to sets heavy fines for offences such as burning the national flag.

About 4,000 demonstrators were stopped from surrounding parliament by a strong police presence late yesterday.

A regional government said the arrests were made after protesters damaged a police car.

The protest was organised to oppose the introduction of a bill that will set fines of up to 30,000 euro for offences such as burning the flag and insulting the state.

The measures, which were approved by the Cabinet but must be voted in by lawmakers, update a 1992 law and will also include fines of 1,000 euro for insulting or threatening police during demonstrations.

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