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There were violent riots on the sidelines of an Eritrean event in Stuttgart

Posted by: Semere Asmelash

Date: Saturday, 16 September 2023

Serious riots at Eritrea event – ​​situation is tense but stable

In Stuttgart there were riots at an Eritrea event in the afternoon. Stones and bottles flew and wooden slats were used as weapons. The police are on site with a large contingent.
A group of people are surrounded by police forces at the event.

A group of people are surrounded by police forces at the event.

(Photo: picture alliance/dpa)

September 16, 2023, 9:00 p.m

After violent riots surrounding an Eritrea meeting in Stuttgart, the situation has apparently calmed down somewhat. The situation is largely stable, a police spokesman told the German Press Agency on Saturday evening. 24 police officers were injured, two of them seriously.

A police spokesman said up to 200 people attacked participants in the event and police officers with stones, bottles and wooden slats. 24 police officers were injured, two of them seriously. The police surrounded 170 people that evening. The spokesman said they were accused of a serious breach of the peace.

Groups attack each other at Eritrea meetings in Stuttgart

According to a press spokesman, the Association of Eritrean Associations in Stuttgart and the Surrounding Area, which is seen as close to the government and supports the military dictatorship there, invited people to a meeting. Around 100 opponents of the regime then went to Bad Cannstatt to disrupt the event. The situation worsened around 2 p.m. in and around the Roman fort when the two groups attacked each other, as the “Stuttgarter Zeitung” reports.

Police use batons and pepper spray

The police used batons and pepper spray against the attackers, said the spokesman. The riots were still ongoing. “There are still skirmishes,” he said in the afternoon. Forces were ordered from surrounding police headquarters and from the police headquarters and the federal police. Forces would also be flown in by helicopter. The situation is confusing.

Videos documenting the riots are circulating on the platform X, formerly Twitter. 



Ausschreitungen bei Eritrea-Festival in Stuttgart
A group of people are surrounded by police forces after riots at an Eritrean event. © Jason Cheplyakov/dpa
The CDU is demanding immediate expulsions.

Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Ödzemir (Greens) wrote on Platform X that the perpetrators of violence must be brought to justice quickly.

The CDU parliamentary group leader in the Baden-Württemberg state parliament, Manuel Hagel, spoke of “outbreaks of violence” that were “outrageous”. «We cannot accept this on our streets! These people who act so brutally against other people, against our police officers, have forfeited their right to find protection and refuge with us.” Hagel called for immediate expulsions. If necessary, the residence law must be tightened.

The state chairman of the Junge Union Baden-Württemberg, Florian Hummel, said that the riots were an expression of the state's loss of control. “We cannot continue to accept this loss of control and must be honest, especially when it comes to migration policy: it cannot be the case that imported conflicts are being fought out on German streets.”





A group of people are escorted by police forces after riots at an Eritrea event. (Photo: SWR)

Situation still unclear

Live blog: Injured in riots at Eritrea event in Stuttgart

There were riots at the Roman fort in Stuttgart-Hallschlag on Saturday afternoon. The occasion was an event organized by Eritrean clubs. There were injured police officers. We will inform you about the current status of the situation.

September 16, 2023, 10:21 p.m

Stuttgart mayor condemns violence

The mayor of Stuttgart, Frank Nopper (CDU), also strongly condemned the violence and riots on the sidelines of the Eritrea event. A statement from Nopper, which is available to SWR, says: "We must take decisive action against the emergence of conflicts from other states on German soil. Our thanks and recognition go to our police for their commitment in this extremely difficult situation. The I wish the injured police officers a speedy recovery.”

The city's integration officer Gari Pavkovic announced that he would immediately start talking to the clubs based in Stuttgart next week. Conflicts and riots resulting from conflicts in countries of origin would not be tolerated in Stuttgart.
September 16, 2023, 10:01 p.m

Police are investigating personal details

The police surrounded around 170 people at the Roman fort that evening. Little by little, people are removed from this group. The police will record the relevant personal details.

September 16, 2023, 9:45 p.m

The CDU also criticizes the outbreak of violence

The CDU parliamentary group leader in the Baden-Württemberg state parliament, Manuel Hagel, spoke of “outbreaks of violence” that were “outrageous”. "We cannot accept that on our streets! These people who act so brutally against other people, against our police officers, have forfeited their right to find protection and refuge with us." Hagel called for immediate expulsions. If necessary, the residence law must be tightened.

The state chairman of the Junge Union Baden-Württemberg, Florian Hummel, said that the riots were an expression of the state's loss of control. “We cannot continue to accept this loss of control and must be honest, especially when it comes to migration policy: it cannot be the case that imported conflicts are being fought out on German streets.”

September 16, 2023, 9:29 p.m

There are still many police officers in front of the Roman fort

There are currently still many police forces at the Roman fort.

September 16, 2023, 9:23 p.m

Özdemir calls for a quick response against violent criminals

Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) reacted shortly after the riots broke out. On the X platform (formerly Twitter), he called for perpetrators of violence to be brought to justice quickly. He also asked why supporters of the dictatorship in Eritrea were allowed to gather in Stuttgart and why "opposition members" attacked the German police.

September 16, 2023, 8:57 p.m

Pictures show attacks on police officers

After the first riots occurred this afternoon, the Stuttgart police called for reinforcements to get the situation under control. Police units were attacked in the inner courtyard of the Roman fort.
Police presence
September 16, 2023, 8:23 p.m

Police give new number of injuries

A few minutes ago the police provided new information on the number of injured. Accordingly, 24 police officers were injured, two of them seriously - by iron bars and wooden slats. The fire brigade and the German Red Cross (DRK) are probably still on site to treat the injured. There is currently no information about injured demonstrators. 170 people are being held by the police to determine their personal details.
September 16, 2023, 8:18 p.m

SWR reporter: Situation still tense

Even in the early evening, the situation at the Roman fort had not yet eased. SWR reporter Magdalena Haupt was there:
September 16, 2023, 7:59 p.m

Large police presence on site

In Stuttgart there were clashes at an Eritea event around the Roman fort in the Hallschlag district. The police are on site with a large contingent. Here you can read what has happened in Stuttgart since this afternoon.

Many police officers are standing in front of the Roman fort. There were riots at an Eritrea event there in the afternoon. (Photo: SWR)
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