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German court stops police ban on anti-G8 rallies
25 May 2007 18:17:37 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Erik Kirschbaum
BERLIN, May 25 (Reuters) - A German court on Friday ruled in favour of anti-globalisation demonstrators who challenged a police ban on rallies anywhere near the upcoming G8 summit over June 6-8 in Heiligendamm.
The administrative court in Schwerin struck down a police ban on anti-G8 rallies within a two- to six-kilometre radius of a 2.5-metre high security fence surrounding the Baltic resort town.
An alliance of anti-globalisation groups had argued the police ban violated their rights to freedom of speech and assembly. They plan to march to Heiligendamm on June 7.
The court did, however, allow police to keep a ban on demonstrations within a 200-metre wide corridor outside the 12-km long fence, which was built by authorities this year to protect the world leaders inside the town.
"The court considers the ban in a 200-metre wide buffer zone to be set up outside the temporary fence in line with the law," the Schwerin court said in a statement. It added: "But any ban going beyond that is unlawful and invalid."
German police said they would appeal the ruling.
Although 100,000 were expected at rallies near Heiligendamm, there has been a sharp increase in the numbers planning to attend since the police order was announced, Attac, one of the leading anti-globalisation groups said. It said police raids on anti-G8 groups had mobilised supporters.
To protect the world leaders, Germany has built the steel and cement security "fence" topped with barbed wire. The 13 million euros ($17 million) fence runs 12 km around Heiligendamm.
Attac said it planned peaceful demonstrations.
The German office for the protection of the constitution has warned of possible attacks from leftist extremist groups opposed to the policies of the G8, which comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.