Demonstrators protesting AfD party clash with Cologne police, arrests reported (VIDEOS)
RT.com
22 Apr, 2017
Two officers were injured and a police car set on fire after thousands of leftist demonstrators gathered to protest a congress of Germany’s right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Cologne. Several arrests have been reported.
Scuffles between protesters and officers began after singing and chanting demonstrators tried to block some 600 AfD delegates from entering the congress venue.
Footage posted by Ruptly showed riot police storming protesters who were holding a banner reading “No Borders,” with one man being escorted away by two officers.
Separate footage from German broadcaster N-TV showed a group of around 50 people clashing with police on horseback, while another video showed a smoke flare being deployed.
A male protester was arrested after injuring the face of an officer who had been escorting AfD party members, according to AFP. Several other demonstrators have also been arrested, according to German tabloid Bild.
Around 100 protesters were also stopped by police for identity checks, but not detained, a Cologne police spokesman told Reuters, adding that the situation is “very dynamic” and “fairly aggressive” in some areas.
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