Eritrea festival in Stuttgart: large-scale police operation
A controversial Eritrea festival on Saturday (16:00) in Stuttgart will take place despite a canceled counter-demonstration, accompanied by strong police forces. A police spokesperson said that checks had already been planned in advance to identify potential troublemakers. There had been massive riots at a similar event in mid-September.
According to the police, a festival in a sports hall in the Zuffenhausen district, billed as a charity festival, could once again attract opponents of the African country's ruling government on Saturday. This is because a large number of Eritrean associations in Germany are considered to be close to the government. The club is also organizing an indoor soccer tournament in the west of Stuttgart on the same day.
According to the event poster, the tournament and festival are being organized by the Eritrean Association for the Physically Disabled. According to the city, the Zuffenhausen gymnasium and assembly hall, which is run by the school administration office, can accommodate up to 300 people.
Despite the canceled counter-demonstration, there might be demonstrators opposing the Eritrean government at the festival due to the closeness of several Eritrean associations to the ruling government. Regrettably, the potential for crime increase is a concern as history shows massive riots at similar events.
Source: www.dpa.com
