Anti-asylum rioters remain free until trial

Prosecutors lost their appeal in court on Wednesday to keep four people suspected of rioting in custody while the case against them develops. The four are among 14 anti-asylum protesters accused of violence outside a city council meeting on the reception of migrants in Geldermalsen. In its ruling, the court in Arnhem, Gelderland decided the men are not at risk of repeating the offenses they are accused of committing in the town of under 11,000 people, reports news wire ANP. A magistrate released the four from custody last week. The prosecutor appealed the decision, saying the early investigation shows that the riot was a premeditated, planned act, as they brought heavy fireworks, pipes and rocks with them that evening. The court is set to rule on a similar fifth case later on Wednesday. Politicians and their families were threatened because they were set to vote on accepting up to 1,500 asylum seekers at an emergency facility in the town. One woman claims she was assaulted by police as they attempted to regain control that night.