Riots break out at G-8 meeting

The Cambodia News.Net Saturday 2nd June, 2007

More than 150 police have been injured in violent clashes after riots broke in the town of Rostock, Germany.

Fighting broke out as tens of thousands of people marched toward the Baltic resort of Heiligendamm where the leaders of the world's G-8 nations will begin a three-day meeting on Wednesday.

Several hundred demonstrators wearing black masks and hoods hurled Molotov cocktails, stones and bottles at police and several cars were set on fire or overturned.

Police used water cannons in an attempt to disperse the troublemakers, who were believed to be from a far-left group.

Some police and protestors have suffered serious injuries.

The violence only involved a small percentage of the 20,000 anti-globalisation and anti-poverty groups who took part in the march.

The clashes bore out fears expressed by the German authorities that left-wing militants would cause unrest during protests against the summit.

Demonstrations at past G-8 summits have been scarred by violence, most notoriously in the Italian city of Genoa in 2001 when a demonstrator was shot dead by police during riots.