Far-right protest cut short

BERLIN, Germany (CNN) -- Thousands of counter-demonstrators forced authorities to cut short a march through the centre of the capital by far-right supporters on Saturday.

Shouting "Nazis out," counter-demonstrators blocked the rally by supporters of the extreme right-wing National Democratic Party, who were protesting a government bid to have the political party banned.

Hundreds of riot police escorted by scores of police vehicles and water cannons attempted to keep the two groups apart at Alexanderplatz, the main square in east Berlin.

But authorities then decided to divert the NPD marchers to the nearby Alexanderplatz train station to transport them safely.

The estimated 1,400 NPD demonstrators, many of them skinhead youths, carried placards demanding the party not be banned and depicting their party chief Udo Voigt muzzled.

The counter-demonstration, called "Europe Without Racism," drew an estimated 3,000 people in a mostly festive atmosphere, carrying green and red balloons, and banners against the far right.

They chanted: "Fight fascism everywhere" and "protect the synagogues, not the NPD."

At least one violent incident was reported. A group of leftists beat a young man apparently on his way to participate in the march.

The man was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released.

Another marcher was detained by police for giving the outlawed stiff-armed "Hitler salute."

The rally was the NPD's fifth this year in Berlin. Unlike past rallies, they did not march in front of the Brandenburg Gate, with organisers earlier this week agreeing to an alternate route.

There was international outrage last January when about 500 NDP supporters marched through the gate, once used as a backdrop for processions by Nazi soldiers.

Ending high-profile far-right rallies is one of the government's aims as it asks Germany's highest court to consider whether the party can be outlawed.

Interior Minister Otto Schily has claimed there is increasing evidence that the party is a danger to German democracy, fomenting neo-Nazi ideology and racism blamed for brutal attacks on minorities that have left at least three dead this year.

CNN Berlin correspondent Chris Burns contributed to this report

Reuters contributed to this report.

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