In Freiburg, Germany, at least eleven activists were temporarily detained after occupying a forest area to protest against tree felling for a new district development.

The police accused them of violating laws including the ban on face coverings and assembly regulations.

The forest, part of the Langmattenwald, is being cleared to make way for the Dietenbach district, intended to provide housing for 16,000 people.

Activists had built treehouses and underground structures to resist the clearance.

The city had restricted access to the area with a general order, and the police have been urging the protesters to leave since morning.

Despite the arrests, the city plans to continue the development, citing chronic housing shortages.