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Police investigate two more assaults at far-right May Day march in Tampere

Authorities are now investigating a total of three assaults linked to the event.

Many people dressed in black at a far-right May Day event in Tampere, one of the participants' faces is covered with a blue and white balaclava.
Many participants in the 'White May Day' procession wore face coverings. Image: Jani Aarnio / Yle
  • Yle News

The Central Finland Police Department has opened investigations into two additional suspected assaults at a right-wing march event in Tampere on May Day last week.

Around 200 people took part in the extremist group's so-called 'White May Day' procession, with roughly the same number of counter-protesters arriving in support of the 'Tampere without Nazis' group.

In one incident at the city's Market Square, marchers from the so-called Blue-and-Black movement allegedly assaulted a counter-protester who'd been blowing a horn. Video footage showed a masked participant kicking the victim.

Woman in black clothes with a rainbow-coloured cloth covering half of her face, gesturing with her hand and holding up her middle finger.
Some counter-protesters were also seen covering their faces. Image: Jani Aarnio / Yle

In the second case, three individuals allegedly sprayed an unspecified gas at a man and then assaulted him, causing facial injuries.

Police are also investigating a previously reported assault of another counter-protester, Tytti Hynninen, in an attack that was captured on video. Authorities are now investigating a total of three assaults linked to the day's events.

Many of the Blue-and-Black supporters were wearing face coverings, making it difficult to identify suspects.

Seven people were detained that day, including three march participants and four counter-protesters.