G8 Riots Leave 146 Police Officers Injured

German police say 146 officers have been hurt in violent clashes with anti-globalisation demonstrators in the city of Rostock ahead of a nearby G8 summit next week.

Of the officers wounded, 25 are said to have suffered serious injuries.

Protesters threw stones and bottles and attacked police officers with sticks, a police spokeswoman said.

"There was a massive outbreak against police officers," she added.

Officials said 17 people were arrested while others were subdued by police before being released.

The violence erupted when a group of around 500 demonstrators set upon police near the harbour after a series of largely peaceful marches through the city.

Sky News Correspondent Geoff Meade, in Rostock, said: "Violence has broken out without warning in a sporadic manner."

"Police have responded with baton charges but perpetrators have fled into the crowd, making it difficult for officers to discriminate between protesters."

"There are many respectable organisations taking part in this legitimate protest."

Officers used tear gas and arrested a number of people, witnesses said.

One police officer was reported to have suffered a broken arm.
Police charge protesters
Police charge protesters

The G8 summit takes place in Heiligendamm on June 6-8, where Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel will host world leaders for talks on climate change and African poverty.

Up to 100,000 protesters are expected in Rostock in the lead up to the meeting and 16,000 German police officers are on duty - the country's biggest security operation since World War Two.

Church groups, environmental activists, cultural societies and feminists will join traditional anti-G8 protesters who say globalisation and capitalism causes poverty in the developing world.
Activists dress as Blair and Merkel
Activists dress as Blair and Merkel

Around 40 separate gatherings are planned over the weekend in protest against the summit.

Retailers in the main commercial district boarded up their shopfronts in anticipation of possible vandalism.

An eight-mile security fence has been built around Heiligendamm and protesters are expected to block roads leading to the resort during the summit.

They may also disrupt the arrival of some delegates with their plan to blockade the nearby military airport at Rostock-Laage early next week.

Trouble could also flare after authorities refused permission for a demonstration by the far-right National Democrats (NPD) to go ahead in nearby Schwerin.

German politicians including Chancellor Merkel are hoping to avert the violence that has accompanied past G8 summits by issuing pleas for peaceful demonstrations.

"We expect a peaceful but politically charged atmosphere," said demo organiser Werner Raetz.