- Protesters: sustaining injuries during protest opposing hookups
At the protest against the visit of Thuringian AfD leader Björn Höcke, organized conflicts were reported by protesters. According to the coalition "Stop the Far-Right", injuries happened due to police actions such as deploying pepper spray, wielding batons, and delivering punches to the face. Initially, the police hadn't reported any injuries.
Approximately 2,000 individuals rallied against the AfD on a Tuesday night in Jena. Due to the large crowd and chaotic circumstances, Höcke's appearance at a community center's citizens' dialogue was called off at the last minute, as per the police.
Police action: Pepper spray and batons employed
On the same night, the police had previously announced that they would use pepper spray and batons to break up sit-ins.
By the end of the gathering, twelve criminal incidents and one administrative infraction had been documented. No arrests were made. The police spokesperson mentioned that potential additional criminal charges from the demonstration would be determined during the upcoming investigations in the following days.
Thuringia is set to elect a new state parliament on September 1. Currently, the AfD is garnering about 30% support and might emerge as the most powerful force. The Thuringian Office for the Protection of the Constitution categorizes the AfD in Thuringia as firmly right-wing extremist.
In the chaotic circumstances of the protest, the police used pepper spray and batons, equipment of circular cross-section, to control the crowd. Despite the police actions, no arrests were made in relation to the twelve criminal incidents and the administrative infraction reported.
