Warsaw (AFP)

Hundreds of Poles demonstrated in Warsaw on Thursday, armed with red paint, following the entry into force of a controversial ruling virtually banning abortion, despite restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

Other gatherings were also held in other cities of the country for the second night in a row since the publication of the Constitutional Court's judgment in the Official Journal on Wednesday.

The termination prohibits any voluntary termination of pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest or when the mother's life is in danger.

"We come together here because this state thinks it can seize our freedom," said Marta Lempart, one of the main leaders of the "Women's Strike", the main movement behind the protests, to the crowd in Warsaw.

Some have poured red paint in front of the seat of the Constitutional Court.

Police arrested several people who tried to enter the building, including Klementyna Suchanow, one of the hosts of the Women's Strike, the movement announced on Twitter.

The Constitutional Court had in October outlawed the voluntary termination of pregnancy in the event of a serious malformation of the fetus, ruling that it is "incompatible" with the Constitution.

The announcement was followed by massive protests across the country, prompting the government to suspend publication of the judgment.

Poland, a predominantly Catholic country, has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe.

Today, there are less than 2,000 legal abortions per year in Poland, according to official data.

Feminist organizations also estimate that around 200,000 abortions are performed illegally or abroad each year.

© 2021 AFP