MADRID -- Spanish police have arrested five left-wing union activists for their alleged role in a "Robin Hood"-style looting of a supermarket made to highlight the plight of people suffering through the country's recession, authorities said Friday.

The southern Andalusian Workers' Union made news Tuesday when a handful of its activists made off with nine trolleys full of food from a supermarket in the southern town of Ecija and left without paying. They later handed the food to poor unemployed people.

A police statement said one person was arrested during an eviction Friday of members of the union who were squatting on Defense Ministry land to protest its abandonment and demanding it be handed over to hard-pressed farmers.

Two others were arrested elsewhere Friday, and two on Thursday.

Complete international coverage on NBCNews.com

Spain is in the midst of its worst financial crisis in recent memory. Conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government has pursued severe austerity measures, including deep spending cuts and tax hikes.

Street protests by public workers, students, unions and other groups have become commonplace across the country, according to reports.

NBC News' staff and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

More world stories from NBC News:

• Day at Olympics well worth $1,000 for family of four, NJ fans say
• Afghan suicide bomber kills senior Army leader, 2 majors
• Notorious Colombian druglord arrested, headed to US for trial
• Who'll win the gold medal for partying? Olympians let hair down
• 'Situation is desperate' for ill Syrian refugees in Turkey
• One year after London riots, a family still grapples with fallout
• Video: This $4000 per jar caviar boasts socialist roots
• Are these German protesters the world's oldest squatters?
• Journalist: British militants took me hostage in Syria
• Canada lobster fishermen lash out at cheaper US exports
• Race to London's Olympic Park: Fastest way is ...?