Rioting by pro-squatter activists injures 120 police in Berlin

Police say protesters threw bottles, cobblestones and fireworks and destroyed cars

Sympathisers of squatters and German riot police illuminated by a burning flare near a housing complex in Berlin’s Rigaer Street, where a demonstration by  left-wing supporters of the  squatters turned tense,  July 9th, 2016. Photograph: Maurizio Gambarini/EPA
Sympathisers of squatters and German riot police illuminated by a burning flare near a housing complex in Berlin’s Rigaer Street, where a demonstration by left-wing supporters of the squatters turned tense, July 9th, 2016. Photograph: Maurizio Gambarini/EPA

More than 120 officers were injured and 86 demonstrators were detained during leftist riots in Berlin overnight which police called "the most aggressive and violent protests in the last five years".

Police in the German capital said protesters threw bottles, cobblestones and fireworks, destroyed cars and attacked officers. 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 took part in the rallies, which started on Saturday evening and lasted into early Sunday.

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

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

Press Association