Right wing extremists throw burning flares during the Independence Day march in Poland.(AP)
Warsaw, Poland:
Police arrested 220 people involved in clashes that broke out Tuesday in Warsaw between hooligans and police. The violence, which occurred amid celebrations of Poland's Independence Day, has become a ritual on the holiday in recent years.
Police said that 23 police officers were injured in the clashes.
The hooligans, some masked, threw rocks, firecrackers and cobblestones at police. In one instance, police fired a water cannon at the protesters.
The hooligans were among tens of thousands of people who took part in a march organized by extremist nationalist groups. Police say they believe they belong to local football clubs.
Earlier, President Bronislaw Komorowski led official celebrations and a march for the holiday, which celebrates Poland regaining its independence after World War I.
For 123 years before that, Poland was effectively wiped off the map, partitioned by Austria, Russia and the German kingdom of Prussia.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Police said that 23 police officers were injured in the clashes.
The hooligans, some masked, threw rocks, firecrackers and cobblestones at police. In one instance, police fired a water cannon at the protesters.
The hooligans were among tens of thousands of people who took part in a march organized by extremist nationalist groups. Police say they believe they belong to local football clubs.
Earlier, President Bronislaw Komorowski led official celebrations and a march for the holiday, which celebrates Poland regaining its independence after World War I.
For 123 years before that, Poland was effectively wiped off the map, partitioned by Austria, Russia and the German kingdom of Prussia.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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