Thousands protest coronavirus measures in Berlin

Police said protesters had gathered for unauthorised marches in different parts of the city centre and said they had pulled about 50 people out of the crowd, in some cases charging them with assaulting officers.

The protesters, few of whom were wearing face masks, shouted "Freedom" and carried banners with slogans like "I have my own opinion and "Covid-84" in a reference to George Orwell's book "1984" about a totalitarian state.

The march comes a month before a federal election in Germany. The leading candidates vying to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel have pledged there will be no return to the strict lockdowns of last year and earlier this year.