– We have been prepared for that and it is also the case that people have been prevented from entering the country, says Daniel Wikdahl, spokesperson for the Stockholm Police.
According to him, the people who have been denied entry have not been able to demonstrate that they have the right to stay in the country.
Demonstration permits are reviewed
Binjam, who participated in the festival, tells SVT that the festival’s organizers warned the police that there were risks of violence if the counter-demonstration was held at the same time as the festival.
– It shouldn’t have happened, I think the Swedish state, which has received so much information about this and what will happen, should have prepared more.
– We have to review whether this is something we can learn from, of course, says Daniel Wikdahl at the police press service.
He says that the police were prepared but that lawyers will now review the state of the counter-demonstration. The festival, which will continue for a few more days, however, retains its permit.
Conflict between Eritrean groups
Thursday’s clash came during an Eritrean cultural festival, which has been organized since the 90s. Organizers are considered loyal to the Eritrean regime. At the same time, the police had given the regime opponents permission for a counter-demonstration near the festival.
Participants in the counter-demonstration allegedly defied the police cordon and collided.