German police have shut down a reading room that Greenpeace set up outside Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate for members of the public who want to review leaked documents on a trade deal between the European Union and the United States.
Greenpeace set up the glass container two days ago after leaking 248 pages of confidential documents on the negotiations, which have been held behind closed doors.
It argues that the texts are proof of United States efforts to circumvent EU consumer protections.
Once finalised, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) would create the world’s largest free trade area with 800mn people.
However, its opponents fear that it could water down standards and give corporations more clout.
Greenpeace confirmed yesterday that the police had shut down its reading room via Twitter, adding that it would now apply for a permit with the intention of reopening the reading room next week.
This picture taken on Monday shows a man reading a copy of the leaked TTIP negotiations inside a public reading room set up by Greenpeace in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
