Clashes at a pro-Kurdish gathering in Kiel on Tuesday evening left several people injured. Police have launched investigations into various offenses by demonstrators. The protests relate to the ongoing situation in Syria.
A pro-Kurdish demonstration took place in Kiel on Tuesday evening concerning the situation in Syria, with up to 1500 participants. The event started at 6 p.m. at the main train station and proceeded toward the Wall area. According to police, the group grew to 1500 people near Ziegelteich.
Most demonstrators behaved peacefully, but isolated incidents occurred: Participants lit pyrotechnics such as rockets and flares. A 20-person group from the left-wing spectrum joined. Around 7 p.m., about 100 masked individuals occupied the pedestrian bridge at the Wall and attempted to set a flag ablaze in front of a police vehicle, which forces prevented.
Larger groups broke through police barriers and moved against the designated route. Near a gaststätte at the Wall, provocations escalated between demonstrators and bystanders. Officers found themselves in the middle; a thrown piece of furniture narrowly missed a policewoman. Several people sustained injuries, mainly to the face.
Police spokesperson Stephanie Lage stated: "Deployment forces were caught between the fronts at times. Some units had to withdraw." Investigations were initiated for breach of the peace, resistance to enforcement officers, assault, bodily harm, and property damage. The situation was gradually brought under control; around 800 participants returned to the main station by 8:30 p.m.
On Wednesday evening, an unannounced demo with 100 people took place, emotional but without major incidents. A larger demonstration is planned for Thursday. The backdrop is the Turkish army's advance into Kurdish-controlled areas in northeastern Syria.
