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Heightened security in effect for Munich Security Conference, numerous protests expected

Tens of protest rallies are expected to take place in the city in the coming days, with some participants planning to speak out against the hostilities in Ukraine

MUNICH, February 17. /TASS/. Almost 5,000 policemen are ensuring public order in Germany’s capital city of Munich, where a security conference kicked off Friday.

A security zone has been established around several blocks of the Bayerischer Hof Hotel, where heads of states and governments arrive. Only participants and accredited reporters are allowed inside the zone, with policemen selectively searching bags and personal belongings.

Special security has been set up at the Munich train station. Many participants have to arrive by train, because of a union strike affecting the largest German airports. A similar situation happened last year, when all air and railroad service was canceled across Germany over a hurricane warning.

Foreign leaders, however, are not affected by airport issues, as their planes are being served as usual. The police warned citizens about traffic restrictions due to the motorcades of arriving politicians. The police ask the people of Munich to refrain from driving this upcoming weekend. Some public transport restrictions have temporarily been imposed as well.

It is prohibited to launch drones to film video over Munich these days.

Tens of protest rallies are expected to take place in the city in the coming days, with some participants planning to speak out against the hostilities in Ukraine. These rallies will be organized by supporters of the Die Linke, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), as well as pro-Ukrainian activists.

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