Ljubljana: Violent protests against strict anti-COVID rules; Police use teargas

N1

Opponents to the measure combating the COVID-19 epidemic gathered at the Republic Square in Ljubljana Wednesday evening, criticising the Slovenian Government and demanding its resignation, N1 Slovenia reported.

What was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration turned into a violent confrontation with the police which responded with teargas and water cannon to the crowd throwing torches on the country’s Parliament building.

The protesters had two demands: the change of measures to combat the COVID-19 e[pidemic into recommendations and early elections.

Before the protest, organisers called for a peaceful rally, but the incident happened as soon as an unknown person threw a bottle at one of the police officers guarding the rally. The crowd approached the entrance to the Parliament. building.

The police then stepped up their presence and fired teargas to disperse the group.

Many demonstrators then fled, but others continued throwing torches and the police responded with teargas.

The police used water cannons too.

Sometime after 9 pm, smaller groups of demonstrators dispersed across the city.

Ljubljana police confirmed to N1 there were arrested people but did not say how many.

The Interior Minister Ales Hojc refused to comment on the situation to N1.

 

N1 Slovenija

Before the police intervention, one torch fell in the middle of the canopy above the door and burned. A police helicopter is circling over Ljubljana, N1 Slovenia reported

The protestors also questioned all the scientific findings and indisputable facts about the coronavirus and vaccines.

According to the Slovenian Public Health Institute, there are currently 11,238 active cases of infection in the country.

On June 15, 2020, the Slovenian government declared the end of the coronavirus epidemic that had been officially proclaimed there on March 12 but left some restrictive measures in place. However, it redeclared it last October due to an increased number in infected people.