Three-hundred neo-Nazis, surrounded by more than three-times as many riot police, held a protest today in city of Karlsruhe, west Germany, against a government rehabilitation program, police said.
The neo-Nazis had gathered after a call by their leader, Mr Christian Worch, for them to protest against a government program the extremists fear could undermine their movement.
The two-week-old program provides right-wing extremists with free counselling and help finding a job and an apartment.
About 1,000 police officers prevented clashes between neo-Nazis and about 400 people who had staged a counter-demonstration. Police arrested 18, including three neo-Nazis.
Meanwhile, in the eastern city of Zwickau, 500 members of the neo-Nazi party NPD demonstrated to protest the recent death of a 27-year-old skinhead. According to police, the demonstration took place "without incident."
AFP