Protests over rising rents turn violent in Germany's Leipzig
Violent protests erupted in the eastern German city of Leipzig for a third consecutive night over evictions from an occupied building that has become a symbol of anger over rising rents.
Around 500 people took part in the rally on Saturday evening, police said early Sunday.
Protesters in the city's Connewitz district threw stones and fireworks, they said, with two officers suffering injuries.
The rally was broken up after less than an hour but spontaneous demonstrations followed during the night, with protesters setting fire to bins and a police car.
Police are investigating 15 suspects for breach of the peace, damage to property and resistance to law enforcement officers.
The protests began Wednesday.
The rallies aim to denounce what the far-left in particular perceives as the "gentrification" of Leipzig, with the purchase of many apartment buildings by groups of financial investors.
Demonstrations on Friday evening also turned violent, with protesters throwing bottles, fireworks and stones. Eight police officers were slightly injured, six police vehicles damaged and a police station pelted with paint bags and stones.
Leipzig mayor Burkhard Jung described the riots Saturday as a "serious setback" for the debate around affordable housing.
"You don't create living space by attacking police officers and setting fire to barricades," he said. "This violence must be condemned in the strongest possible terms."
(Source: AFP)
Scholz-Putin phone call opens ‘Pandora’s box’: Zelensky
Far-right German party calls for UN probe into ‘Berlin’s role’ in Nord Stream blasts
What collapse of German coalition government means
VIDEO | Israeli forces storm West Bank’s Jenin again, target civilians
Iran activates advanced centrifuges after IAEA's 'unjust' resolution
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Iran FM: Response to Israeli aggression 'inevitable'
VIDEO | Iran eases the rules for exporting hand-woven carpets
VIDEO | Intl. Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: A stark reminder of Gaza women
Australia denies ex-Israeli minister Shaked visa
VIDEO | 85% of Yemeni displaced people face daily hunger crisis
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
