Four police officers suffered minor injuries and 14 people were arrested on suspicion of offences including violent disorder and trespass after a protest at the Iranian Embassy in London, the Metropolitan Police said.
The officers were taken to hospital after missiles were thrown at them as they violently clashed with protesters yesterday.
A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘During a protest at the Iranian embassy on Friday, 16 January, a protester illegally accessed private property and climbed across multiple balconies on to the terrace of the embassy and removed its flag.
‘An effort was made by a group of protesters to prevent his lawful arrest, and dispersal tactics were used by officers to ensure the safety of those concerned and prevent further disorder.
‘Officers were able to arrest the man on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass on diplomatic property and assaulting police. He remains in police custody.
‘A further 13 arrests were made for several offences, including violent disorder, assault of an emergency worker, criminal damage and trespass on diplomatic premises.’
Demonstrations have been taking place outside the embassy after widespread anti-government protests in Iran, where more than 2,000 protesters have been killed, according to a US-based human rights group.
Four police officers suffered minor injuries and 14 people were arrested on suspicion of offences including violent disorder and trespass after a protest at the Iranian Embassy in London, the Metropolitan Police said
Police violently clashed with protesters outside the embassy yesterday after an activist climbed the building and took down the Islamic Republic’s flag. Pictured: An activist removing the Iranian flag from the balcony
Protesters can be heard cheering as the man removes the flag
A section 35 dispersal order had been imposed outside the embassy ‘as a result of ongoing disorder’.
Police said: ‘A significant police presence remains in place, including additional officers who have been deployed during the evening to prevent further disorder.’
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said it was called at 20:45 GMT ‘to reports of an incident at the junction of Exhibition Road and Kensington Road’.
Four people had been taken to hospital while two others were treated at the scene, it said.
One protester climbed across balconies onto the embassy roof removing a flag on Friday night before being detained, said police.
Dramatic footage taken on shows a man perched on the balcony of the embassy while fellow protesters chant slogans and wave flags on the ground below.
The man suddenly jumps off the ledge, prompting baton-wielding officers to surround him when he reaches the ground.
In response, protesters appear to lunge towards a group of cops, unleashing a violent clash as police use their clubs to fend off demonstrators.
The man who scaled the balcony was later seen being dragged away by police
Footage shows the police violently clashed with protesters outside the Iranian embassy in London after an activist climbed the building and took down the Islamic Republic’s flag
Some activists are seen being crushed among the chaos, while others are toppled to the ground.
Two police officers are then seen dragging the man away from the scene, while protesters continue to pounce on cops.
Amidst the chaos, the two officers are pulled onto the ground, with one cop seen falling on top of the man.
Protesters continue to shout at officers, while some members of the police tell them to ‘get back’.
A separate video shows the activist removing the Iranian flag from the balcony as protesters cheer.
Daily Mail has approached the Metropolitan Police for comment regarding the video.
The man who climbed onto the balcony has since been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass on diplomatic property and assaulting police.
Several others were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, while a section 35 has been imposed as a result of ongoing disorder, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the police force said on Friday night: ‘During the ongoing protest at the Iranian Embassy this evening, a protester illegally accessed private property and climbed across multiple balconies onto the roof of the Embassy and removed a flag.
‘He has since been arrested by officers on suspicion of criminal damage, trespass on diplomatic property and assaulting police.
‘A section 35 order has been imposed as a result of ongoing disorder, including missiles being thrown at officers. Several officers have suffered injuries.’
