Wilders: bodyguards for all PVV candidates
PVV leader Geert Wilders is demanding police protection for his party’s candidates, following a series of vandalism attacks on their homes.
The most recent attack was on Friday at the house of candidate Jake Owen Raats who is running as nr 12 on PVV’s slate in Etten Leur. Someone threw a stone through a window at the 20-year—old student’s home. “I saw three boys speeding away on their bikes,” Raats told Volkskrant newspaper.
It was the third time in two weeks that his house was pelted. He said it started when he hung a PVV poster election poster in his window. He has filed four reports at the local police station, where he was promised that they would make a threat analysis of his situation.
Caroline Kooman, PVV candidate in Zeeland, fell victim two weeks ago, when someone threw a tile through her window. The 23-year-old politician has since received police protection, it has been reported.
In Friesland the houses of candidates in three villages were spray-painted with anti-PVV slogans like 'PVV fascist' and 'PVV nergens veilig' (PVV safe nowhere). They have since received instructions on how to approach aggressive attacks: call candidate Max Aardema, stay inside and do not clean up until police have investigated.
The attacks prompted Wilders to demand police protection “as soon as possible”. He was disgusted that other parties have remained mum. “The deafening silence of the other parties and a large part of the media is too revolting for words. When partaking in elections is under attack and violence is used against candidates, the democracy is in danger,” he said.
The department “securing and guarding” of the National Counter Terrorism Coordinator NCTV has meanwhile discussed the matter with the Prosecutor’s Office. “We are monitoring the situation and we will take action when necessary,” Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten has been quoted as saying.
An unknown organization 'Friese Verzet' (Frisian Resistance) has accepted responsibility for the graffiti attacks in the province. It is not clear if Friese Verzet also attacked the PVV candidates in Zeeland and Brabant. It is also not clear if PVV candidates are also under attack in other provinces.