Status: 16.09.2023, 18:31 p.m.
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A group of people is surrounded by police forces after riots at an Eritrea event. © Thomas Niedermueller/dpa
In connection with an Eritrea event, violent scenes occur in Stuttgart. Stones and bottles are flying, wooden slats are used as weapons. The police speak of skirmishes.
Stuttgart - In Stuttgart, there have been violent riots in connection with an Eritrea event. Up to 200 people attacked participants in the event and police officers with stones, bottles and wooden slats, a police spokesman said. Ten officers were injured. Four people have been arrested so far.
200 people came together for an event organised by the Association of Eritrean Associations in Stuttgart and the surrounding area. The clubs sympathized with the government in Eritrea, the spokesman said. At lunchtime, several small groups had gathered at Bad Cannstatt station and Stuttgart main station. They attacked the participants of the event at the Roman fort and threw bottles and stones at them. They also attacked the participants with wooden slats.
The police used batons and pepper spray against the attackers, the spokesman said. The riots were still ongoing. "There are still skirmishes," he said in the afternoon. Forces had been ordered from surrounding police headquarters and from the police headquarters and the Federal Police. Forces would also be flown in by helicopter. The situation is confusing.
Eritrea is largely isolated internationally
Eritrea, with its three million inhabitants, is located in northeastern Africa on the Red Sea and is largely isolated internationally. Since independence from Ethiopia 30 years ago, won in a decades-long war, President Isaias Afewerki has ruled the country in a one-party dictatorship. Other parties are banned, freedom of expression and freedom of the press are severely restricted. There is no parliament, independent courts, or civil society organisations. In addition, there is a strict system of military service and forced labour, from which many people flee abroad. Dpa
