Berlin, March 5. Fifty police officers were injured during a clash in Offenburg (western Germany) with demonstrators protesting against a congress of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, according to police sources.

The clashes occurred on Saturday, when some officers suffered respiratory irritation after protesters sprayed them with a fire extinguisher, while others suffered bruises after being hit.

Two demonstrators were also injured and police said in a statement that charges have been opened against 20 of them for disturbing public order, resisting authority and wounding.

According to German media, police charged against the initially peaceful demonstration after some 400 of the 1,200 participants refused to obey orders from security forces.

The regional AfD congress revolved around the war in Ukraine and the delegates of the ultra formation expressed their refusal to send military aid to this country, in addition to demonstrating in favor of a resumption of imports of gas from Russia.

In addition, they reiterated their refusal to welcome refugees and urged the government to speed up the process of expelling foreigners who have committed crimes. EFE

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