Model slammed for posing in front of burning barriers during Catalan protests and describes chaos like ‘Hollywood film’
A RUSSIAN model has been trolled online after publicising a posed selfie showing her pouting her lips in front of a bonfire in burning Barcelona as if she were taking part in a glamorous photo shoot.
Elena Rybalchenko, who has more than 700,000 followers on Instagram on her account titled Fitness Mama, has been accused of making a mockery of the Catalan struggle for independence by angry locals.
The mum-of-three whipped up a storm of protest while wearing a pair of denim shorts and a long-sleeved top as she had her photo taken alongside barricades lying on the ground by a burning blaze of waste containers and street signs.
Elena, who currently on holiday in the violence-hit Catalan capital with her husband Stanislav Iron, captioned her pose “Barcelona is on fire” alongside emojis of flames.
She added: “In front of me, behind me, to my left and right, everywhere there are explosions, helicopters, the noise of sirens, it’s like a Hollywood film.”
She also included a series of hashtags touching on Barcelona’s ongoing political struggle including #barcelonariots and #independenciacatalunya.
Furious Laura Sarri responded by telling Elena: “It feels like you are making fun of the struggle of a society.
“You should be ashamed of yourself for posting those photos as if you were just in front of a tourist site.
“The fire represents the struggle of the Catalans. It is not something to post as if it were just a stupid common thing.”
Alessandro Arostegui added: “How the hell can you have the cheek to publish this photo with what is happening in Catalonia!
“Would you like people to do the same in your country? What a f*****g disgrace!!!”
Another enraged local raged: “Amazing to see how you’re taking advantage of what’s happening to take photos at such a difficult moment, full of suffering and struggle.”
Catalan drama student Alba Collado asked her: “Are you stupid? People are losing their eyes and you are making photos of a popular revolt?”
And she was told by another social media user: “It’s a f****g riot, not a photocall. Go back to your country to take photos.”
'I LOVE BARCELONA'
Elena has hit back in the war of words by telling critics she has “great respect” for the city.
She insisted yesterday: “I love Barcelona. That’s why I come here regularly and show lots of its beautiful places.
“I have great respect for the city and its citizens. Please understand this picture was not a photo session or something disrespectful.
“It was just a piece of my real life.
“I was talking with the guys in masks who made this fire. They were polite to us and were glad that I and other people were taking photos with that fire.”
Elena's comments come days after at least 53 people were injured as thousands of pro-Catalonia protesters stormed Barcelona airport.
Riot cops fired foam bullets and tear gas into angry rock-throwing crowds as more than 100 flights were cancelled on Monday night.
The violence came as Spain's Supreme Court convicted 12 separatist leaders of illegally promoting Catalonia's independence.
Nine of the 12 independence leaders were jailed between nine to 13 years - sparking outrage among some of the wealthy region's anti-Madrid population.
Four of them were additionally convicted of misuse of public funds.
The other three were fined for disobedience - while the court barred all of them from holding public office.
All 12 were acquitted on the more serious charge of rebellion - which implied the use of violence.
The charges were brought by state prosecutors and lawyers for the far-right Spanish party Vox.
It came two years after the unsuccessful attempt in 2017 by Catalan independence leaders to declare secession from Spain.
The Catalan government held an independence referendum on October 1, 2017 - despite the country's highest court prohibiting the vote.
MOST READ IN WORLD NEWS
The "yes" side won, but because it was an illegal ballot most voters didn't turn out and the vote count was considered of dubious value.
But the Catalan Parliament unilaterally declared independence three weeks later - triggering Spain's worst political crisis in decades.
The Spanish government stepped in and fired the Catalan regional government, with prosecutors later bringing charges.
