Man sentenced in Denmark for Copenhagen riots

COPENHAGEN – A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to nine months in prison for throwing rocks at police — the first verdict connected to clashes in Copenhagen in March.

Prosecutor Martin Top-Madsen said Thursday the man, who was not named, had pleaded guilty to throwing two rocks during the March 1 clashes, which were sparked by protests marking the 10th anniversary of a squatter eviction in Copenhagen.

Seven people have so far been charged in connection with the clashes, which saw protesters hurling rocks, fireworks and bottles at riot police. No one was reported injured, but dozens of shop windows were smashed.

Squatters were evicted in 2007 from an abandoned building in Copenhagen that had been a centre for young leftists and punk rockers for nearly three decades.