Police clash with protesters against government’s Covid-19 restrictions

Riot police clashed with football and ice hockey ultras who protested against the government’s Covid-19 restrictions on Prague’s Old Town Square on Sunday. After the end of the protest, police used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse the radicals who refused to leave the premises and were throwing firecrackers and other objects. According to the Czech News Agency, several people were injured in the clashes.

The demonstration was initiated by supporters of Baník Ostrava football club, who claim that the government’s restrictions are nonsensical and result from a failure to prepare for a second wave of the virus. Interior Minister Jan Hamáček said the organizers wouldn’t escape justice, as they didn’t ensure the adherence to the government’s measures against Covid-19.

According to the Czech News Agency, the protest was attended by around 2,000 people. However, the current limit on public gatherings is 500. Most of the protesters also didn’t maintain the 20-person limit on the number of adults in a gathering and didn’t wear a facemask.