Police detain 39 at EU summit protests

Police have detained 39 anti-globalisation and right-wing protesters on the last day of demonstrations outside a European Union…

Police have detained 39 anti-globalisation and right-wing protesters on the last day of demonstrations outside a European Union summit.

They include 10 British men believed to be right-wing nationalists, were taken into custody near the city's landmark Grand'Place square.

The others could face charges in relation to damaging a bank and cars parked nearby, police said.

Brussels Mayor Freddy Thielemans, who oversaw security around the summit, said the 10 were charged with possession of bottles and gasoline used to make Molotov cocktails.

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"There were quite a few arrests ... but we are getting off fairly well," he said.

Police estimated 2,100 protesters took part in three different demonstrations on the last day of the summit.

Mayor Thielemans said riot police moved in on one march after identifying several protesters who took part in vandalism in demonstrations over the past two days.

Overall, Mr Thielemans said, police managed to keep violence and vandalism to a minimum by keeping a low-profile.

Demonstrations over the past two days drew 90,000 protesters to the Belgian capital who were kept well away from the summit site venue, a suburban 19th century royal palace.

Of the 40 German activists detained yesterday after scuffles with police, four were charged with attacking police officers and destroying public property.