Protestors go on rampage in Latvia capital

RIGA, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Several hundred youths destroyed police vehicles and smashed office windows in Riga on Tuesday when an anti-government protest turned into a riot. The violence, which followed a peaceful protest by thousands calling for early elections, was some of the worst seen in Riga since the collapse of the former Soviet Union in 1991. Following the initial demonstration, hundreds of protestors marched on parliament. Some tried to storm the building but were dispersed by riot police using teargas and truncheons. Once police had control of the area around parliament, a large group of rioters began roaming the picturesque city centre, smashing storefronts and office windows with cobblestones dug up from the streets. Windows at the finance ministry and several buildings were destroyed. A liquor store was looted. Rioters overturned a police van and a police car before pounding it to pieces with wooden planks and makeshift weapons. Latvians are calling for political change as the country's economy has suddenly deteriorated. Latvia has had to take a 7.5 billion euro ($9.97 billion) loan from the IMF and European Union after sliding into recession. "Dissolve parliament, dissolve parliament" protesters chanted when dozens of burly men rushed a line of anti-riot police outside the parliament building. People threw bottles at parliament and eggs were hurled at police. As demonstrators pushed forward, police sprayed them with teargas.