Merkel decries violence against refugees disgusting

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and her government spoke out on Monday against weekend’s violent protests against asylum seekers in the eastern German town of Heidenau.

“The chancellor and the whole government condemn in the strongest manner possible the violence and the aggressive atmosphere towards foreigners there.

“It is disgusting how right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis attempt to spread their idiotic message of hatred around an asylum shelter,” government spokesman, Steffen Seibert, told a regular news conference.

At least 31 German police officers were hurt in scuffles with at least 600 protesters in the early hours of Saturday, many hurling bottles and stones, angry about the arrival of asylum seekers.