Makfax vesnik : Budapest riots put under control, 200 people injured

World

Budapest riots put under control, 200 people injured

Budapest, 19.09.2006 10:05

Some 200 demonstrators have been reportedly injured in late Monday's clashes with riot police outside the state television building in Budapest.

Hungarian media say protesters stormed the state television building, attempting to hand in a petition demanding resignation of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany, after it was revealed his government had lied during an election.

The trouble at the state television station began when a small group of protesters who had spent the day outside parliament tried to hand in a petition. The building caught fire, and two channels went off the air.

Later on, thousands of demonstrators clashed with riot police. The police used tear gas and water cannon to quell violent protests. More than 100 police officers have been injured, among them, one is in critical condition. A large number of protesters were injured. Cars were set alight.

The fire was put out shortly before daybreak Tuesday. The city is now said to be calm. News reports say extra police have been dispatched.

PM Gyurcsany's comments, which sparked the violence, were heard in a tape of a meeting he had with his MPs a few weeks after April's election, and leaked to local media on Sunday.

In excerpts broadcast on state radio, the PM says "We lied in the morning, we lied in the evening. We cannot quote any significant measure we can be proud of."

Clashes broke out after a relatively peaceful protest Monday outside Hungarian parliament building, when the protesters tried to hand in a petition. /end/