Czech PM defends rave crackdownTechno fans' protest outside interior ministry in Prague Thousands of protesters gathered to denounce the police action The Czech prime minister has defended controversial methods used by riot police to break up a techno rave.
Tear gas and water cannon were used to break up the party of 5,000 ravers at the weekend CzechTek event, leaving 80 injured, including 50 police officers.
Thousands of people have protested outside the interior ministry.
The Czech president criticised the crackdown, but Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek said techno fans were "no dancing children but dangerous people".
Writing in the Lidove noviny newspaper on Tuesday, he said the core of the techno enthusiasts was made up of "obsessed people with anarchist proclivities and international links," who "provoke massive violent demonstrations, fuelled by alcohol and drugs, against the peaceful society".
He expressed regret over the injuries, but said the police only defended themselves against attacks.