German police accused of ’Greta Thunberg photoshoot’ during coal mine demonstration

German police have denied staging photos with climate activist Greta Thunberg at a demonstration against a coal mine on Tuesday. The denial came after video clips were shared online which appeared to show officers treating Ms Thunberg differently to other activists at the scene. In one video, two officers pick the Swedish activist up from under the arms as she sits on a bank at the edge of the open-cast mine. They then escort her away in front of photographers before releasing her again a few metres further. Two other activists, who were sitting close to her, don’t receive the same treatment. An officer tells them to move on and they move away, smiling. In a second video, two officers stand either side of Ms Thunberg, one of them holding her by the arm while photographers take pictures. Another activist, who was also apparently detained, stands nearby but does not receive such close attention. Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial now: Get the latest headlines: and are websites of The Telegraph, the UK’s best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.