16 Hague rioters arrested

A total of 16 people were arrested during the riots in The Hague on Monday night. The riots started after a demonstration against because of the death of Mitch Henriquez got out of hand.

The demonstration started around 8:00 p.m. on Monday. It got out of hand in front of the police station in Schilderswijk around 9:00 p.m. A group of rioters broke away from the demonstrators and left a trail of destruction through the city, throwing stones and fireworks at police officers along the way.

Most of the arrested rioters are suspected of public violence. The police took a lot of video footage during the demonstration, which will all be examined. The police and Public Prosecutor are not ruling out the possibility of more arrests.

"Last night the police had, with understanding for the emotion and anger, given space for this demonstration, I also gave permission for that, because I understand that people want to show their emotion." Minister Ard van der Steur of Security and Justice said in a statement on the police website. "But if that then gets out of hand and lead to destruction that has nothing to do with the death of this man, the police steps in."

According to the minister, the police took action after officers were attacked and there was ransacking in a neighborhood affecting residents that had nothing to do with the incident. "I call on everyone to remain calm, and not to let feelings of helplessness and anger degenerate into violence and vandalism. I regret this violence very much."