Federal help offer over neo-nazis clashes

Germany’s top security official has offered to send federal assistance to the eastern state of Saxony following violence during a far-right protest in the city of Chemnitz that left at least 18 people injured.

The protest late on Monday, sparked by the killing of a 35-year-old German man in an altercation with migrants over the weekend, erupted into clashes between neo-nazis and left-wing counter-protesters. Opposition parties criticised police for failing to prevent the violence.

Interior minister Horst Seehofer said: “The police in Saxony are in a difficult situation. Should it be requested, the federal government will provide police support.”

Mr Seehofer was backed by Chancellor Angela Merkel, who condemned the violence. “Should Saxony need help to maintain law and order, and to uphold the law, the federal government stands ready,” she said. About 600 officers had struggled to prevent 6,000 supporters of the far-right from breaking through police lines.