Over 150 people were arrested and three people injured by gunshots today as thousands of protestors rampaged through central Gothenburg, smashing shops, torching property and clashing with Swedish police.
As the two-day EU summit dealt with questions of expansion and foreign policy, balaclava-clad demonstrators in streets just a few blocks away hurled stones, benches and bottles, smashing storefronts and confronting police with dogs and on horseback.
As police tightened security and there were reports thatthree people injured by gunshot as well as a report a Swedish policeman shot and injured a demonstrator.
Gothernburg police said they arrested more than 150 people. A police spokesman Bengt Staaf, who released the figure, said nine police officers had suffered injuries, including broken arms, broken legs and facial injuries.
Police said there were about 5,000 protestors. Hospital sources said 36 were admitted to hospital. It was some of the worst violence ever to beset an EU summit.
Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson, whose country holds the EU presidency until the end of the month, said he was "upset about this destructive behaviour" and "blatant disregard for democracy." He called the protesters "criminal groups".
Tonight a dinner for EU leaders at the summit cancelled due to security concerns.
Police earlier advised four national EU delegations to changehotels because they could no longer guarantee their safety fromprotesters, many from neighboring countries, running amok throughthe streets.
This morning Minister for Finance Mr Charlie McCreevy's arrival at the EU conference hall in Gothenburg was delayed today when a riot broke out on the street where his hotel is situated.
Mr McCreevy was delayed in his hotel room as protesters took to the streets outside the building, but reached the conference hotel where the meeting is taking place without incident.
Yesterday some 455 people were arrested in protests against US President Mr George W. Bush, who was in Gothenburg for a day of summit talks with EU leaders.