Youths riot in Copenhagen

Hundreds of youths clashed with police in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, early today, setting fire to street barricades to protest against the demolition of a building in the Christiania hippie enclave.

At least 29 people were arrested, of which 21 were later released, police spokesman Flemming Steen Munch said.

The youths began protesting late last night, and threw bottles and cobblestones at police during the clashes, with lasted through the night.

Angry youths also clashed with police early this week when workers tore down a condemned building in Christiania, a partially self-governing section of Copenhagen that is home to an alternative lifestyle community.

Although the building was largely abandoned, many protesters saw the demolition as part of a government plan to assert control over the enclave.

Two months ago, angry youths went on a rampage in downtown Copenhagen to protest against the eviction of squatters from a youth centre in another part of the city.

Hundreds were arrested and 25 people were hurt in the riots, the worst clashes in Copenhagen in more than a decade.