German police recorded 34 crimes during the protests in Saxony

German police announced today, Saturday, that 34 crimes had been recorded during the protests accompanying the general conference of the Alternative for Germany party in the city of Riesa in the state of Saxony, eastern Germany.
The police explained that among these crimes they are investigating are crimes related to physical harm, assault on law enforcement officials, coercion, and damage to property.

Protests against the Alternative for Germany party

Lotus Rüdig, police chief of the city of Dresden (the capital of Saxony), said: “We achieved our goals as the party’s general conference was held.
He pointed out that the police at the same time allowed the protest to take place within sight and hearing, thus preserving the right to freedom of assembly.
Thousands of people had demonstrated in the city of Rize since the morning against the right-wing populist party conference, where the demonstrators arrived in the city on buses and trains, and blocked main roads leading to the place.

Right-wing populist party in Germany

The atmosphere was tense at times, as confrontations took place between police and demonstrators in many places, which included clashes that resulted in six police officers being slightly injured.
Police spokesman Marco Laske said that these injuries occurred mainly during “chaotic events” when demonstrators tried to break through barriers.

He added that the police currently do not have information about the presence of injuries among the demonstrators, indicating that the use of physical force is part of police procedures.
He continued: “The pictures may sometimes seem harsh, but they are part of the police’s work,” and stressed that the police’s mission is to ensure freedom of assembly and organize the party’s general conference.

The police confronted the demonstrators

He said that the police mission also includes the use of police dogs, referring to a video circulated on social media showing the use of a police dog.
The “Federstzen” “Resistance” coalition accused the police of not allowing some demonstrators to participate in the protest, and spoke of the police’s use of pepper spray and batons against these people.
“There is no desire for the Nazis,” said Helen Kramer of the “Kine Book of Natsis” coalition. The demonstrators arrived in about 200 buses from different German cities to Rissa.
She explained that the day showed that “Riza is diverse and colorful,” and later in the afternoon, coalition organizers announced that the protest was over.