Seven people were arrested after police in Sandefjord had to use tear gas to subdue an estimated 300 demonstrators who objected to another demonstration over the weekend. They were charged with assaulting police officers and refusing to abide by police orders.
Those charged were demonstrating against the small anti-Islam group SIAN, which once again wanted to attract attention by burning a Koran. A similar SIAN demonstration had been halted in Oslo last week.
Those objecting to SIAN’s provocation started throwing stones, eggs and bottles at them, and police had to protect their right to freedom of expression. The violence rose until police felt compelled to use gas and forcibly end the demonstrations on both sides.
newsinenglish.no staff
