Demo provokes clashes in Sweden

Clashes have erupted between police and anti-fascist activists on the sidelines of a neo-Nazi demonstration in the Swedish capital Stockholm.

At least ten people sustained injuries after Swedish riot police forces clashed with anti-fascist activists in the city on Sunday.

Some 150 members of the far-right Party of Swedes took part in the neo-Nazi rally while thousands of activists gathered in the city center to protest against the rally.

“We have had violent riots with people throwing objects at police,” police spokesman Lars Bystrom said, adding, two people were detained one for “preparation of aggravated assault,” and another for climbing onto the roof of the Royal Opera House.

Violence erupted when the anti-fascist activists tried to block the neo-Nazi rally and clashed with police ahead of a speech by Stefan Jacobsson, the leader of the Party of Swedes.

Many of the activists were critical of the heavy-handed crackdown used by the police forces, some of whom were riding horses.

“I am shocked at the police’s excessive force,” said Matilda Renkvist, one of the organizers.

On August 23, violence broke out at a similar march by the Party of Swedes in the southern city of Malmo, 31 percent of whose population was born abroad.

NT/MAM/AS