Police stop part of the demonstration against Rheinmetall in Cologne

At a demonstration by the “Rheinmetall Disarm” alliance in Cologne, the police stopped part of the demonstration. The peaceful part of the demonstration continued on Saturday afternoon. However, a group classified as unpeaceful was stopped.

According to the information, masked people threw paint bags and set off pyrotechnics shortly after the demonstration began. As a result, participants punched and kicked police officers. The police arrested a group of around 300 participants. Several masked people from the group are said to have fired steel balls at the officers. Helmets were damaged and metal balls were found in uniform parts and seized. Eleven police officers were reportedly injured. An official was therefore no longer fit for duty.

The “Disarm Rheinmetall” alliance, which is organizing a protest camp in Cologne until Sunday, called for the demonstration. Around 400 people registered with the police for the demonstration. According to police, thousands of people demonstrated.

On Thursday, members of the anti-war alliance temporarily blocked a Bundeswehr barracks in Cologne and stuck themselves in front of a Rheinmetall branch in Bonn.

Last year there were clashes with the police during the camp's final demonstration. 13 police officers and at least nine demonstrators were injured. NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) then admitted police mistakes.