According to official government figures, around 25,000 Eritrean nationals live in the Netherlands
At least four police officers were injured early this morning during clashes in The Hague between rival groups of Eritrean citizens who torched police cars and threw stones at law enforcement, police said.
Special forces police units fired tear gas at those involved in the incidents, who authorities said were pro- or anti-Eritrea government groups attending a meeting in The Hague.
“During the clashes, stones, fireworks and other objects were thrown at the police and firemen. Some of the rioters had weapons with them to attack the crowd,” the police said. Two patrol cars and a tourist bus were set on fire.
During the riots, two policemen were injured in the hand, another in the teeth and a fourth was hit by a patrol car in the confusion.
“Our colleagues were faced with very intense and serious episodes of violence,” she said Mariel van Fulpenchief of police.
Police have made arrests and appealed to eyewitnesses to come forward and those who may have taken video of the incidents to provide them to the authorities as part of the ongoing investigation.
“The violence against police officers and their equipment is shocking and unacceptable,” said the city’s mayor. Jan van Zaanen.
The far-right, anti-immigration leader Heart Wilders, posted images of the incidents on social media with a caption written in capital letters: “Arrest and deport.”
OPPAKKEN EN UITZETTEN! pic.twitter.com/nK0VeWzKc5
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) February 17, 2024
“Why are half the world allowed to come here to destroy our country, fight each other, throw rocks at the police and set police cars on fire?” then wrote to X.
Nederland is het echt spuugzat. Waarom wordt de halve wereld hier binnengelaten om ons land af te breken, vendrenge vetes uit te vechten, agenten met stenen te bekogelen en hun auto’s in de fik te steken? Ik wil de premier worden die eindelijk eens snøihard orde op zaken stelt. pic.twitter.com/mdy1LiA2ox
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) February 17, 2024
“You just let them all in and then you leave your country like that…” he later commented.
Je zal ze maar alle hebben binnengelaten en je land dan zo achterlaten… pic.twitter.com/dHL4P76Uhi
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) February 18, 2024
“I want to be the prime minister who finally puts all this in order,” added Wilders, who won the November election but cannot form a coalition government.
About 25,000 Eritrean nationals live in the Netherlands, according to official government figures.
Source :Skai
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.