More than 100 Croatian activists detained at site of controversial construction project

Activists detained at Zagreb construction site

ZAGREB, Croatia — More than 100 activists were detained in Croatia’s capital Thursday as they protested against a construction project to turn an old downtown block into a posh housing and shopping area, police said.

Officers carried activists, including an independent City Hall member, a journalist and an actress, from the construction site and put them into police vans. Some protesters laid in front of construction trucks, while others hung onto their tires.

It’s the biggest number of protesters detained in Croatia in at least a decade.

Local human rights groups demanded that police immediately release the activists and stop detaining others.

Zoran Milanovic, the leader of the main opposition party, the Social Democrats, called on Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor “to protect the citizens” from police action.

Activists, who claim the project will ruin Zagreb’s historical center, have camped out at the area for months, preventing construction from starting. They also blame Zagreb city authorities for allowing the project, run by a local businessman.

On Thursday morning, they tried to prevent workers from removing trees.

Police spokeswoman Jelena Bikic said they acted because protesters exercised “passive resistance.” She told The Associated Press that 115 activists were detained.

Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko said “no” when asked if police used excessive force against protesters.

Activists claim the investor illegally obtained construction permits and prosecutors were investigating.

The protest gained supporters across Croatia, seen as a revolt against the ruling elite and ruthless businessmen.