Scores of police officers injured in Berlin protests

Officers injured in Berlin after clashes with about 3,500 protesters unhappy with police operations against squatters.

Leftist autonomous squatters protest in Berlin
The protests started late on Saturday and lasted until early Sunday [EPA]

German police said more than 120 officers were injured and 86 demonstrators were detained during leftist riots in the German capital which police called “the most aggressive and violent protests in the last five years”.

Berlin police said in a statement on Sunday that protesters destroyed cars and attacked officers, throwing bottles, cobblestones and fireworks. Only one of the police officers required treatment at a hospital. It was not immediately clear how many rioters were injured.

About 3,500 protesters participated in the rallies, which started on Saturday evening and lasted until early on Sunday.

Activists had called for the demonstration to protest against police operations at buildings taken over by squatters in the eastern part of the city last month.

Around 1,800 police officers were called in to monitor the protesters.

Police called the demonstration
Police called the demonstration “the most aggressive and violent protests in the last five years.” [EPA]
Source: News Agencies