Protest held at Iranian embassy, 4 held

A group of people staged a demonstration on Monday afternoon in front of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Helsinki.

According to the local media and the police, the protestors snatched an Iranian flag from the embassy premises and set it on fire. They also pelted stones at police on duty at the spot and at a police helicopter that was being used to film the scene.

Police arrested four of the demonstrators at the spot, although they did not divulge the identities of the arrested. A report of the national broadcaster Yle said three of the arrested were taken into custody on suspicion of aggravated disturbance of the peace for the flag-burning and the fourth one was detained for suspected violent resistance against an official.

The police said about 150 people took part in the demonstration and no one was injured in the incident.

The police were informed in advance that the protest would take place between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm, but the police said the protestors became violent during the demonstration.

The police have promised more information about the incident on Tuesday.