The Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö was marred by demonstrations, a disqualification and boos – both during the performances of Israel and the EBU chief.
Police from both Norway and Denmark were called in as reinforcements and during the night images were cabled out that showed chaos outside the arena where the police pushed hundreds of protesters away.
It was Switzerland that took home the glass statuette in the night’s Eurovision Song Contest. During the evening, several unannounced demonstrations broke out outside the arena. One person was arrested and seven were taken into custody. One of those who was taken away by the police was the climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Greta Thunberg is carried away by police
Greta Thunberg is carried away by police
The police repelled hundreds of protesters and state that “in cases where people refused to obey the instructions, they were removed by physical means”. In several cases, pepper spray has also been used.
Stopped train traffic
Train services were stopped on two occasions from stopping at Hyllie station near the arena to allow police to deal with the number of people flocking to the arena.
During the night, the police also cordoned off a larger area around Arenatorget and Hyllie station in what they say was a preventive measure.
In connection with the chaos, the police arrested a person suspected of violence against an official. In addition, seven people were taken into custody by the police.