Energy cars torched ahead of Copenhagen protest

Arsonists set alight three cars belonging to DONG Energy on Monday, just hours ahead of a planned protest against the state-owned utility, as more than 190 nations meet in the city to agree a climate deal.

The vehicles were carrying DONG's logo and were attacked in two separate areas of the Danish capital, police said, adding a further six non-DONG cars were also torched overnight in different locations.

Police spokesman Henrik Suhr said officers did not know who had set the cars on fire, or why.

A demonstration was due to take place near a DONG Energy office in Copenhagen later on Monday.

DONG, which gets most of its power from coal-fired plants, announced on Friday it had cancelled plans to build its first coal-fired power station in Germany, saying it did no longer believe the project had the necessary backing.

The organisers of the demonstration had previously said they wanted to highlight DONG Energy's activities in Germany.

DONG Energy spokesman Andreas Krog said a company official had agreed to meet with protest representatives.