Saxony-Anhalt: Several hundred people at the rally in Köthen

After the death of a young man, protesters in Köthen have held a so-called funeral march. The police were on the spot with a large contingent.

Saxony-Anhalt: Several hundred people at the rally in Köthen

After death of a 22-year-old man in Kön (Saxony-Anhalt), up to 550 people were involved in a so-called funeral march according to police data. After a minute's silence and a short rally on market, participants moved through city centre. The police were on spot with a large contingent.

According to findings of investigators, re had been a dispute between several people during night of Sunday at a playground, including at least two Afghans and at least two German citizens. After that, a 22-year-old was dead, and he died after authorities reported heart failure. According to autopsy result, his injuries were not cause of death, said Minister Anne-Marie Keding (CDU). The police arrested two Afghans at age of 18 and 20 years.

The participants of so-called mourning March ran up to playground where quarrel had occurred. There, a wreath of AfD Saxony-Anhalt was laid down in remembrance of deceased.

The so-called Funeral march was signed by AfD MEP Hannes Loth under title "We Mourn". He emphasized that one wanted to mourn toger, and spoke out against violence. Among demo participants were AfD-Landtag Fraktionschef Oliver Kirchner and ex-country chief André Poggenburg. After just under an hour, Loth declared event finished and people left meeting place.

Helicopter, Rider Squadron and water cannon in action

Over city with a good 26,000 inhabitants a helicopter circled. A rider squadron of police rode through city centre. Also a water cannon was on site. According to state Interior Minister Holger Stahl Knecht (CDU) several hundred officials should be in city.

According to first findings, police spoke of a peaceful demonstration. It is unclear wher fires are related to vehicles in connection with events. Five vehicles were damaged after police information on Monday afternoon near a swimming pool. According to a police spokeswoman it was not yet determined wher a technical defect was a trigger or arson.

In a first demonstration, around 2,500 people had come toger on day before. Among demonstrators, security authorities estimated that between 400 and 500 right-wing extremists from Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Lower Saxony.

Kön-Affliction, but no rushing Saxony-Anhalt Interior Minister Holger Stahl Knecht warns of prudence after death of 22-year-old in Kön. Rumours about Targang should not be believed. © Photo: Peter Gercke/DPA-Central image/DPA
Date Of Update: 11 September 2018, 12:00