Sweden sees wave of squatter evictions

Police on Tuesday removed a group of young people from a building in Malmö in the latest in a series of squatter evictions in the south of the country. Protesters in Malmö and Lund have also taken to the streets to demonstrate against housing shortages.

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Four squatters climbed on to the roof when police entered the building on Johanneslustgatan on Tuesday afternoon.

But police were not required to use force as the youths later agreed to come down from the roof of their own volition. A fifth squatter was also removed the building after being found taking refuge in the attic.

All five were taken to the local police station for questioning.

"They are going to informed that they are suspected of trespassing. They will then be released after questioning," said police spokesman Ronny Ivehed.

A group of around twenty young people began occupying the building on Saturday morning as part of a protest against a lack of accommodation in the city. The building is owned by the Swedish National Rail Administration, which immediately blocked access to the building after police had removed the squatters.

An estimated one hundred demonstrators gathered in central Malmö in the evening to voice their disapproval with the housing situation.

Police in Lund were also called into action on Tuesday evening after a group of young people hung banners from a building on Bankgatan in the town centre.

There were however no signs that anybody had attempted to enter the building, which was emptied of squatters two weeks ago. Nine people were arrested when police stormed the building on November 5th.

Local authorities have since early November reported each new house occupation to the police.

The quaint university town in southern Sweden has experienced a turbulent couple of months, with students and other young people protesting against a lack of housing.