Neo-Nazis riot over planned refugee shelter in Germany

BERLIN

Neo-Nazis rioted against a planned refugee shelter in the northeastern German town of Grevesmuehlen, public broadcaster NDR reported Friday.

According to police, around 700 mostly far-right people demonstrated at a local district council building where politicians were scheduled to discuss the case.

They wanted to prevent the construction of a refugee accommodation in the town of Upahl -- but without success.

Some of the protesters tried by force to gain access to the district building, but were prevented from doing so and pushed back by police.

The rioters repeatedly ignited pyrotechnics and scuffled with police as the local district council approved the construction of the refugee accommodation.

Those attending the town hall meeting expressed their opposition to such plans, police said.

Around 120 police officers were deployed to control the hostile crowd.

Germany has reportedly been the scene of at least 65 attacks on refugee shelters during the first three quarters of last year.

The number of attacks on refugee homes in Germany has risen again after several years of decline since 2015.

There are fears that the number of attacks on refugee homes could go up significantly as more Ukrainian war refugees and asylum seekers from other countries are entering Germany.

The figures also indicate that, statistically, at least two asylum seekers become victims of daily attacks in Germany.

Approximately one in five offenses involves a physical attack, such as bodily harm.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has condemned mounting attacks on refugee homes and pledged to do everything to protect refugees.

"What is again important to me when it comes to the safety of all refugees in Germany is that we make it very clear that we strongly condemn any attacks on refugee homes and do everything we can to protect the refugees, which is why we take a very close look," Faeser said.