Around 200 people attacked an event organized by the Association of Eritrean Associations in Stuttgart. Police officers were also attacked with bottles and wooden slats. According to authorities, several officers were injured.
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Riots broke out in Stuttgart in connection with an Eritrea event. A police spokesman said on Saturday that up to 200 people attacked participants in the event and police officers with stones, bottles and wooden slats. According to the police, ten officers were slightly injured. The number of other injuries is not yet known. Four people were arrested, a police spokesman told SWR.
Stuttgart police requested reinforcements
200 people came together for an event organized 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 gathered at Bad Cannstatt train station and Stuttgart main station. They then attacked the event participants at the Roman fort and threw bottles and stones at them. They also attacked the participants with wooden slats.
Police: “Massiveness of the riots unpredictable”
The police used batons and pepper spray against the attackers, said the spokesman. Forces were ordered from surrounding police headquarters and from the police headquarters and the federal police. Some police forces were also flown in by helicopter. Another police helicopter is circling over Stuttgart. The situation at the Roman fort in Stuttgart is now under control, according to the police when asked by SWR. The police are asking residents to stay in their homes until the situation has been fully clarified.
The police spokesman continued that everyone was aware that there would be disruptions at such an event. However, the massiveness of the riots could not have been predicted. The police called on onlookers to stay away from the event. Police are now preparing to keep both groups apart after the event ends.
Strong criticism of authoritarian Eritrea
Eritrea, with a population of around three million, is located in northeast Africa on the Red Sea and is largely isolated internationally. Since independence from Ethiopia was won in a decades-long war 30 years ago, President Isaias Afewerki has ruled the country in a one-party dictatorship. Other parties are banned and freedom of expression and freedom of the press are severely restricted. There is neither a parliament nor independent courts or civil society organizations. There is also a strict military service and forced labor system, from which many people flee abroad.