Police moves against squatters in Prague

The police have moved against squatters who on Saturday occupied a derelict building in Pohořelec, near Prague Castle. A unit of the riot police with dogs removed the occupants while 27 people have been detained, the news agency ČTK reported. Several dozen people gathered outside the building and protested against the police action. Squatters occupied several unmaintained buildings in the capital on Saturday to highlight the issues of dilapidating historical heritage and the unavailability of low-cost housing. They said they would vacate all of them before the end of the day but remained in one that is located in a popular tourist area in the vicinity of Prague Castle. A spokesman for the squatters said they wanted to reach agreement with the owner of the structure; however, the proprietors asked the police for assistance.

Author: Jan Richter