Clashes and Controversy at the Eritrean Music Festival in Giessen, Germany: Over 20 Police Officers Injured and Nearly 100 Arrested

2023-07-09 09:38:39

More than 20 police officers were injured and almost a hundred people were arrested in clashes in Giessen, Germanyduring a controversial Eritrean music festival, local police said on Saturday (07.08.2023).

In various parts of the city, the policemen were attacked with stones and bottles. They responded with tear gas and a water cannon.

Videos posted on social media show police charging at highly mobile groups of protesters on the streets of the city of some 80,000 residents.

At least 26 officers were injured, mostly by “stoning”, the regional police said on Twitter, adding that around 100 people had been detained.

The interior minister for the Hesse region condemned the violence, calling the attacks on security forces “totally unacceptable”.

Since Friday, regarding a thousand police officers have been mobilized in Giessen, north of Frankfurt, to maintain the security of the festival, which last year already gave rise to incidents.

The City Council wanted to prohibit it, but the administrative justice authorized it on Friday. Between 2,000 and 3,000 people are expected to attend the event, which ends on Sunday.

gs (afp, Pfalz Express)

During the controversial Eritrean Festival, held in Giessen on Saturday, several people tried to break the police cordon, authorities announced on Twitter. (08.07.2023)Picture: Helmut Fricke/dpa/picture alliance
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