Protest blocks German arms giant Rheinmetall's premises in Berlin

Protesters blocked the premises of German arms giant Rheinmetall in Berlin on Friday, resulting in a police operation.

Seven activists glued themselves to the ground in front of the company's entrance in the Gesundbrunnen neighbourhood of the German capital.

Rheinmetall has become one of the world's leading defence companies in recent years, with its share price soaring since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Berliner Morgenpost newspaper reported that demonstrators chanted in German "Rheinmetall out of Berlin" and "German guns, German funds, murdering people all over the world."

Emergency services removed all seven activists from the road, as a police spokeswoman said on X. 

Some sustained minor injuries to their hands and were treated on site by paramedics, the police added. Investigations are under way into offences including trespass, coercion and resisting law enforcement officers.

The protest comes two weeks after a separate demonstration on the Rheinmetall factory premises in late March.

Protesters climbed onto the roof of the building carrying banners related to the conflict in the Middle East and poured paint.

Police removed the activists from the roof, with special forces deployed for the operation.