Police in the eastern German city of Jena used pepper spray and batons to disperse a demonstration of about 2,000 people who protested against the appearance of the leader of the far-right party "Alternative for Germany" Björn Hocke at a public discussion and was prevented from attending the event, reported DPA, quoted by BTA.
In the evening, the police announced that initially they were not aware of any casualties. Hoke was expected to appear at a public discussion in the city centre.
Following consultation with his bodyguards, Hoque's appearance has been cancelled, a police spokesman said. The leader of the AfD in the state of Thuringia, where elections are scheduled for September 1, did not attend the event, which was subsequently canceled.
Police said the anti-AzG protesters had requested a permit for the protest, but more people turned up than expected.
AzG currently receives about 30% of the vote, which means it could become the strongest party. Internal intelligence categorized its branch in Thuringia as a right-wing extremist party, DPA recalls.