More than 100 protesters arrested in Prague's Old Town Square

Prague, Oct 18 (CTK) - Police detained more than 100 protesters at the demonstration against anti-coronavirus restrictions in Old Town Square in the center of Prague on suspicion of rioting and attack on public officers, Prague police spokeswoman Eva Kropáčová has told CTK.

The afternoon demonstration ended up in sharp clashes between protesters and the police.

Kropáčová added that the police had detained almost 50 people before the demonstration even began, after finding dangerous items on them such as fireworks, knuckles, a telescopic baton, and a firearm.

Around 20 police officers suffered injuries in brawls with demonstrators, Kropáčová stated.

The detained people were transported to police stations for further investigation, she said.

She stressed that the hooligans had attacked the police completely groundlessly.

Police used coercive means against the protesters, using tear gas and water canons; mounted police on horseback, dog handlers, and armored vehicles were also deployed.

Three police officers ended up in being hospitalized after the crackdown. Most of the injured police officers suffered wounds that did not requite immediate treatment on the spot, and this is why the Prague Emergency Service did not officially register them among the nine injured at the event, Kropáčová explained.

The organizers, the Movement of Civil Disobedience (HON) civic association, ended the protest, which started at 14:00, earlier, after one hour, due to a higher attendance than the permitted limit of 500.

The Prague City Hall estimated the number of demonstrators at about 2,000. Most of them did not wear face masks and did not keep the required distance of two meters between themselves.

Police intervened against the protesters only after some of them started attacking the officers, after the demonstration was officially terminated.