Demonstrations and riots: Dobrindt condemns violence after youth demonstrations

Berlin. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt condemned the riots following youth demonstrations in several cities and sees certain groups in particular as the perpetrators of the riots. “Violent left-wing groups and chaotic people from the migrant milieu hijacked the peaceful afternoon demonstrations last night,” the CSU politician told “Bild”. "The rioters and looters will be identified and held accountable. This breach of the peace must be met with harsh punishments."

At the same time, he praised the actions of the security forces. “Excesses of violence like those in Paris were prevented thanks to our highly committed police forces,” said Dobrindt. “The police operational concept with a massive presence and decentralized deployment of forces has worked.”

After initially peaceful demonstrations by tens of thousands of young people, violent scenes and riots broke out in the evening, especially in Frankfurt am Main and Cologne. In Berlin there were bottles and firecrackers thrown. In some cities, police used water cannons.

The “Gen Z regulates” initiative called for peaceful protests in more than 30 cities. Among other things, she calls for more money for schools, measures to combat rising living costs and more climate protection. Similar protests abroad, including in France, have resulted in serious riots in recent weeks.