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Crime

Cologne police arrest 7 as Carnival begins

November 12, 2019

The annual Carnival festivities have begun amid civil disobedience that has spilled over into aggressive attacks. Drink-related crime was also reported.

Cologne Carnival
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Gambarini

Cologne's world-famous Carnival season kicked off on Monday, with many of the celebrations spilling over into civil disobedience and physical attacks.

One 22-year-old man was assaulted from behind and had a plastic zip tie placed around his neck and tightened. He was freed by a paramedic at a nearby medical tent, who reported that a similar event had occurred earlier in the day.

In another incident, an 18-year-old reveler was struck by leftover building material thrown from a nearby building and suffered minor injuries. A 17-year-old and a 19-year-old were detained.

By late evening, seven people had been arrested, a Carnival record, according to police.

Several drunken users of e-scooters were also punished.

Traditionally, every November 11, up to 70,000 people celebrate the beginning of Carnival season in the western German city on the Rhine.

John Silk Editor and writer for English news, as well as the Culture and Asia Desks.@JSilk
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