Germany: Hundreds Run Riot, Loot Shops, Attack Police In Stuttgart Post Drug Checks By Officials

Hundreds of people ran riot in Germany’s Stuttgart city in the early hours on June 21. Stones and bottles were thrown at the police, stores were looted after smashing shop windows. Reportedly, more than a dozen police officers were also hurt in the clashes. Interior minister for the region Thomas Strobl said the riots were of "an unprecedented nature.” As per reports, tensions built up shortly after midnight over police checks on drug taking by people who had gathered close to the city's biggest square, the Schlossplatz. Clashes then broke out, as the groups went on a rampage, using sticks or poles to smash windows of police vehicles parked in the area. Police estimated that around 500 people were involved in the riot. Violence led shops along the neighbouring Koenigstrasse, a key shopping thoroughfare, looted. Police called in reinforcements and were only able to control the violence several hours later.