Thousands gather for a day of protests in Cologne
- Cologne police chief leaves position
- Thousands rally in Cologne city centre
- Merkel toughens stance on migrants and the law
The news
Cologne attacks: Merkel mulls faster deportation for migrant criminals https://t.co/IE9fRolIpI
— The Guardian (@guardian) January 9, 2016
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is in favour of toughening the country’s stance against asylum seekers who are convicted of serious crimes.
Merkel says she is in favour of tightening the rules governing expulsion, even for those given suspended sentences.
Hundreds attend PEGIDA rally in Cologne https://t.co/fjrhSAUrsx pic.twitter.com/FvSyDVdleY
— Schreiner (@NickSchreiner07) January 9, 2016
The far-right Pegida political movement assembled thousands of its supporters in Cologne on Saturday afternoon.
URGENT: Police use watercannons during rally in #Cologne; LIVE HERE: https://t.co/PUcWFUsUSp pic.twitter.com/xoM26AbbCX
— RT (@RT_com) January 9, 2016
#Cologne police spokesman says water cannon fired after protesters threw firecrackers and bottles at police #PEGIDA https://t.co/j17YrCIsLI
— C. Chelsom-Pill (@charlottejourno) January 9, 2016
Police barricades separated them from crowds of supporters from the far-left who gathered in response.
The context
Angela Merkel’s comments come as anger continues to grow over reports of a wave of sexual assaults and harassment in Cologne on New Year’s Eve.
The incidents happened outside the city’s main railway station and have sparked fresh debate about Germany’s “open-door” refugee policy.
Gangs of men described as of North African and Arab appearance are said to have been behind the scores of attacks.
Daily Mail has some first-hand testimony from women assaulted in Cologne https://t.co/2LMh615Zpo
— David Frum (@davidfrum) January 6, 2016
Victims say the assaults were carried out by men they describe as of North African and Arab appearance.
Cologne police chief out as city tries to track down New Year’s Eve attackers: https://t.co/a9kidCAc6n pic.twitter.com/Aa5OW73h3p
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) January 9, 2016
The police have been sharply criticised for their handling of the incidents.