Swedish environmental activistGreta Thunbergwas detained along with other protesters on Tuesday during a protest against the expansion of a coal mine in western Germany, police announced.
"The group [de manifestantes] is stopped", highlighted a police spokesman. In photos released by AFP, the activist is seen being evacuated by security forces near the town of Lützerath.
The people arrested "they separated from the demonstration" and ran to the edge of an open pit, according to police.
Police said they were identifying the detainees and would decide what action to take at a later date.
According to the spokesperson, the activists are not formally detained.
ThunbergHe has been in Germany for a few days to support protesters gathered in an abandoned village against the expansion of an open-cast coal mine.
On Saturday, a demonstration brought together more than 15,000 people — according to police figures — and ended with clashes that left a dozen injured.
The lignite mine, one of the largest in Europe, is operated by the energy company RWE. The Executive considers its extension necessary to guarantee the country’s energy security after the interruption of the Russian gas supply.
Opponents of the plan reject this argument, saying that current lignite reserves are sufficient.