At least 30 people were arrested by the Dutch Police after a violent anti-immigration demonstration erupted in The Hague on Saturday.
According to local media reports, two policemen were injured during the clashes.
The Hague’s mayor Jan van Zanen said the violent protest was triggered by ‘hooligans’.
“Groups of hooligans from all over the country deliberately sought confrontation with the police,” he told Dutch News.
“And they used extreme violence,” he said.
The police resorted to using tear gas and water cannon to disperse the anti-immigration protesters, who targeted the cops with rocks and bottles.
How did the trouble begin?
The trouble began after a group of 1,500 protesters attempted to blockade the nearby A12 motorway, ignoring instructions by organisers.
Many of them were dressed in black, some covering their faces with balaclavas, reported Dutch News.
No room for violence: Dutch PM
Condemning the incident, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof wrote on X: “Shocking and bizarre images of brazen violence in The Hague, following a demonstration that got out of hand. It’s completely unacceptable that rioters attacked officers and vandalized police cars and the D66 party office, among other things.”
“We have great respect for the actions of the police, riot police, and Mayor Van Zanen. We have complete confidence that the police and the Public Prosecution Service will do everything in their power to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators. There’s always room for demonstrations, never for violence,” he said.
Right-wing leader Geert Wilders also condemned targeting cops and wrote on X: “Blocking the highway and using force against the police is completely, utterly unacceptable. Idiots.”
