Last activist tree hut dismantled in Hambacher forest

The German police have, in their own words, dismantled all tree huts of activists in the so-called forest near Hambach.

The police began early last month with the eviction of the forest, where activists had entrenched themselves. They had set up dozens of tree houses. A police force had to come to the rescue to remove the conservationists from the 12,000-year-old forest, which lies between Aachen and Cologne.

RWE is the owner of the more than 100 hectares of forest where lignite will be extracted. A spokesperson for the company said that activists will not be allowed to occupy the area again. Opponents of the plans are expected to be heard again in the coming period.