Anti far-right AfD demonstrators block state leader Höcke from event

Police in the eastern German city of Jena used pepper spray and batons to break up a demonstration of some 2,000 people protesting the appearance of far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) state leader Björn Höcke, preventing him from attending an event.

The police said on Tuesday evening that it initially knew of no injuries.

Höcke was to appear at a public discussion at a central location.

After consultation with his personal security, Höcke's appearance was cancelled, a police spokesman said. The leader of the AfD in Thuringia, where voters go to the polls on September 1, did not show up at the event, which was then cancelled.

The police said the anti-AfD demonstrators had registered their protest, but more people showed up than expected.

Currently the AfD is polling at around 30%, meaning it could become the strongest party. Domestic intelligence has categorized the AfD in Thuringia as right-wing extremist.