Tens of thousands of Catalans marched on Saturday in Barcelona for the release of separatist leaders held over their role in the region's secession bid and the return of those who fled abroad into self-exile.

Catalonia's pro-independence president Quim Torra took part in the march, a day after he met Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez.

Both men promised to try to ease tensions, even though their positions on Catalan independence remain at odds.

Under the slogan 'No jail, no exile, we want them at home' 110,000 people have demonstrated this Saturday in the streets of Barcelona. Summoned by Òmnium Cultural, the ANC and the Associació Catalans pels Drets Civils have demanded the freedom of the sovereignist prisoners and that the political leaders who are abroad can return without fear of reprisals.