AACHEN (dpa-AFX) - An eviction of the village of Lützerath in the Rhineland, occupied by climate activists, can be expected from Wednesday or the following days, according to Aachen police. Police chief Dirk Weinspach said on Monday. "Since we will still hold an information event for citizens in Erkelenz tomorrow, they must expect the eviction to begin from the day after tomorrow or the following days," he said.

The background is that the district of Heinsberg has issued a general order to evacuate the village. The general injunction prohibits people from staying from December 23, 2022, until February 13, 2023. If this injunction is not followed, the injunction provides the basis "for taking eviction measures from January 10," it said - so theoretically also from Tuesday. According to the police chief, however, this is not yet to be expected, but only later.

The energy company RWE wants to demolish the Rhineland Lützerath in the west of North Rhine-Westphalia, in order to mine the coal underneath. The land and houses of the village, which was dominated by arable farming, now belong to RWE. However, activists who have announced resistance are now living in the remaining premises, whose former residents have moved away. They see no need for the removal and burning of the coal. A large police operation is therefore expected./uho/DP/jha