Pitched battles erupted during an anti-immigration demonstration in Cologne on Saturday between the right-wing marchers and police as tensions in Germany remained high more than a week after hundreds of women were sexually assaulted and robbed on New Year's Eve.<br />Police used water cannons against demonstrators after riot police were hit by beer bottles, stones and firecrackers.<br />At least three police officers and a journalist were injured.<br />The mood had been tense since Friday when reports came out that recently arrived refugees were among the suspected assailants in the New Year's Eve attacks.<br />Women said they were were molested and groped by a mob of more than 1,000 men in Cologne, Germany's fourth largest city.<br />Police in Cologne, who withheld information for a week that some refugees were suspected, have been under intense pressure.<br />Police chief Wolfgang Albers was fired on Friday for failing to inform Cologne's mayor that refugees were suspected of being involved.
