Major Police Operation After Pyrotechnics Attack Officers at Aachen Demonstration

Police in Aachen launched a major operation after masked people allegedly fired pyrotechnics at officers during an unauthorized demonstration in the city center. Clashes continued throughout the night, according to a police spokesperson, but no one was injured.

The spontaneous protest began late Sunday evening at Elisenbrunnen and moved toward the main railway station and the Autonomous Center, known as the AZ. Because the gathering, attended by about 200 people, had not been registered, police deployed a large operation.

Police said suspects later fled into the AZ. Officers detained several people there and searched the center. The detainees are being investigated on suspicion of serious breach of the peace and assaulting law-enforcement officers.

A second demonstration formed from the first and involved about 150 people. It was still taking place in the morning and had remained peaceful. Police said it was not yet clear who had called the original demonstration or what prompted it. A corresponding appeal by Antifajugend Aachen appeared on social media.