Finland Times

The nation celebrated Independence Day across the country with due respect on Friday excepting an incident of sporadic clash in front of the celebration place in Tampere.

The exceptional incident of protest took place outside the Tampere hall, where the president and first lady were according reception to the designated citizen resulting massive violence at the area.

Police arrested 28 protesters from the spot in connection with the violence, which caused damage of huge property worth about thousands euro and wounded number of people including some police personnel, police said.

President Sauli Niinistö and first lady Jenni Haukio at the reception party. Photo Lehtikuva

Police and witness said that the clash erupted when a group of protesters numbering 200 to 250 gathered to gather at Tammela market at about 4.30pm.

The protesters started to lit torches and throwing fire crackers and proceeded straight to the Tampere-Talo (Tampere Hall) but police forced them to go towards Sorsa park.

The crowd suddenly attacked the police by pelting them with bottles, throwing fire crackers and used hockey bats. The police responded by using pepper spray and batons.

They started destructive activities through breaking display windows of shops, cars and parking metres, police said.

“The damages in the violence caused losses of property worth about hundreds of thousands Euro,” Police detective Petri Burmoi, who leading the investigation in this regard said at a press conference on Saturday.

Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen and his wife Mervi Katainen at celebration concert of Independence Day in Tampere Hall Tampere on Saturday. Photo Lehtikuva

The police officer also said that three police personnel were injured when agitators attacked them with bats during the clash.

The situation calmed down a little bit in the vicinity of Tampere's old church after which the rioters changed direction and started to head again towards Tampere-Talo (Tampere-Hall) breaking the police barrier.

The law enforcers and warned the protesters through loudspeaker that police would take tougher action, if necessary.

The regional police chief Markku Luoma claimed that this was not an incident of protest but a mob of robbers who were determined to prepared to cause trouble creating violence and sabotage.

Police arrested a total of 28 persons on various charges in connection with the incident and decided to investigate the matter further to find out the reasons behind it.

Protesters break the glass in Tammela market. Photo Lehtikuva

The police observed that majority of the detained persons arrived from different parts of the country while few from the Tampere area joined there.

Police said that significant number of agitators were intoxicated.

According to Chief Inspector Harri Nojonen, the police had been prepared for the situation as they had information that some anarchist minded activists wanted to express themselves.

No group had come forward to claim the responsibility of the incident.

Party burnt national flag was also recovered from the spot.

Meanwhile, the main celebration where the President, Sauli Niinistö and first lady Jenni Haukio accorded reception was participated about 1700 designated guests from different parts of the

country in Tampere Hall.

The guests found to shake hands with the President and the first lady where about hundred war veterans were also present.

The president’s reception party was held at Tampere this year as the official residence of the President in Helsinki is now under renovation.

Meanwhile, like the locals, number of immigrants from different countries were found to celebrate the day with befitting manners.

A group of more than people from 30 countries organised a Multicultural Independence Day in Helsinki where the Minister for International Development Pekka Haavisto was present as guest,

reported Yle.