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190 Demonstrators Detained, Nine Officers Injured During Protests, Berlin Police Say

© REUTERS / Fabrizio BenschA general view of a protest against the government's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions, while police use water cannons, near the Reichstag, the seat of Germany's lower house of parliament Bundestag, in Berlin, November 18, 2020
A general view of a protest against the government's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions, while police use water cannons, near the Reichstag, the seat of Germany's lower house of parliament Bundestag, in Berlin, November 18, 2020 - Sputnik International
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Earlier on Wednesday, the press service of the Berlin Police said that the German Interior Ministry had decided to ban rallies near the Brandenburg Gate, adding that "roughly 2,000 policemen are on duty in the city centre".

"By 14.00 our colleagues have detained 190 people... Two [of the detained] are to face the court directly. Nine colleagues were injured during the operation," the police tweeted on Wednesday.

The Berlin law enforcement used water cannons against protesters, who gathered earlier in the day near the Brandenburg Gate to protest a law that underpins COVID-19 restrictions. However, German Deputy Government Spokesperson Ulrike Demmer did not comment on the use of water cannons by police to disperse the protest rally.

The protest was sparked by news of the German parliament's plan to adopt a law to provide a legal basis for the implementation of such COVID-19 restrictions as social distancing, requirements to wear masks, and regulate the work of vaccination centres.

Protesters, who objected to the measures, were demanding access to the parliament building, where Chancellor Angela Merkel was set to speak on Wednesday.

Policemen have blocked all routes to government buildings and limited exit from the Brandenburger Tor underground station.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Germany has confirmed 815,746 COVID-19 cases, with 12,814 deaths. In the last 24 hours, the country reported 14,419 new infections.

Germany has already closed bars, restaurants, and other public places to limit contact between citizens. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged citizens to stay at home to prevent the deterioration of the epidemiological situation.

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