Photo: DPAChancellor Angela Merkel “wholeheartedly condemned” the violent riots that erupted in parts of Hamburg during the G20 summit, but praised the many peaceful protesters for “putting pressure” on world leaders. In a press conference on Saturday concluding the G20 summit in Hamburg, Merkel first and foremost denounced the series of riots that left more than 200 officers injured, cars burning, and businesses with smashed windows amid the meeting of world leaders. “I wholeheartedly condemn the unfettered violence and uninhibited brutality against police during the days of the G20 summit,” the Chancellor said in her opening remarks. When asked about the many peaceful protests staged over the past week, Merkel expressed that they had made a positive impact. But Merkel defended the decision to hold the summit in Hamburg, citing previous host cities like London, which held the G20 in 2009.

Source: The Local July 08, 2017 16:27 UTC