Dutch riot police broke up a violent far-right, anti-immigration protest in The Hague on Saturday after demonstrators threw fireworks and projectiles at officers. Public broadcaster NOS reported 24 arrests.
Key facts
- Riot police dispersed several hundred far-right protesters in The Hague on Saturday.
- Local authorities banned a planned march against immigration and asylum policies.
- Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported 24 people were arrested.
- Some protesters threw fireworks and other projectiles at police.
- The justice minister condemned 'Hitler salutes, antisemitic slogans, violence' at the rally.
Dutch riot police dispersed several hundred far-right protesters in The Hague on Saturday after violence broke out at a rally against immigration and asylum policies, according to reporting from The Guardian and Al Jazeera.
Local authorities banned a planned anti-immigration march in the city centre after the demonstration turned violent. The Guardian reported that fireworks and other projectiles were thrown at officers in a city centre park.
The Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that 24 people had been arrested in connection with the unrest, The Guardian said.
According to Al Jazeera, the Dutch justice minister condemned the event, citing ‘Hitler salutes, antisemitic slogans, violence’ at the anti-immigration rally.
The protest was directed at the Netherlands’ immigration and asylum policies. Authorities moved to shut down the gathering after it escalated into confrontations with police.
Details on the identities of those arrested and any charges were not provided in the initial reports.
Why it matters
The justice minister's account of Nazi salutes and antisemitic slogans, alongside 24 reported arrests, points to concerns about public order at anti-immigration demonstrations in the Netherlands. Further details on charges and those involved were not yet available in initial reports.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were arrested at the protest?
Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that 24 people were arrested, according to The Guardian.
Why did police break up the protest?
Violence erupted as some protesters threw fireworks and other projectiles at officers, and local authorities banned the planned anti-immigration march.
How did officials respond to the rally?
According to Al Jazeera, the Dutch justice minister condemned 'Hitler salutes, antisemitic slogans, violence' at the anti-immigration rally.