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Latvian anti-government protesters clash with police
A large anti-government demonstration in Latvia's capital turned violent on Wednesday when hundreds of vandals attacked parliamentary and ministry buildings.
- AP
- Published: 10:55 January 14, 2009
Riga, Latvia: A large anti-government demonstration in Latvia's capital turned violent on Wednesday when hundreds of vandals attacked parliamentary and ministry buildings.
Dozens of protesters leaving a demonstration in Riga's historic old town tried to storm Parliament but were pushed by police back onto a neighbouring street.
Rioters overturned a police van and set fire to it, smashed windows of the Finance Ministry and looted a liquor store.
Police used mace and periodic charges to disperse the mob, while rioters threw ice and chunks of cobblestone.
Three officers were seriously injured and 126 protesters were detained, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Sigita Pildava said.
She said most of those detained were young men and many were drunk.
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