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German police hunt for Chinese consulate attackers

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-08 10:52

BERLIN: The Munich police said Tuesday that they are hunting for two men throwing Molotov cocktails at the Chinese Consulate-general in Munich.

They will be charged with arson, the police said.

According to the Munich police, on early Monday, two unidentified men threw three Molotov cocktails at the Chinese consulate, setting a Chinese national flag on fire. Part of the consulate building was charred.

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The attack took place shortly after dozens of Xinjiang separatists' supporters held protests near the consulate.

No people or groups have claimed responsibility for the attack so far. The police said they are not sure whether there is connection between the attack and Sunday's riot in Urumqi, capital city of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

At least 156 people were killed during the riot in northwest China Sunday evening and more than 1,000 others were injured.

Local residents near the consulate said they heard a car screaming away from the scene after the attack.

The Chinese Consulate-general in Munich have made representations to the Munich police and the interior authorities, urging the German side to take measures to protect Chinese diplomats and institutions and hunt for the attackers.