Ten arrested for breaking Enschede demonstration ban

The police arrested a total of 10 people in Enschede on Sunday for breaking a demonstration ban implemented in the city. About an equal number of right-wing anti-Islam movement Pegida supporters and their opponents were arrested, according to news wire ANP.

All of the detainees were released again by Sunday night, the Enschede police said on Twitter. Pegida leader Edwin Wagensveld was one of those arrested.

On Thursday local mayor Eelco Eerenberg announced a demonstration ban for Sunday. He feared that planned demonstrations by right-wing and left-wing extremist groups would lead to confrontations, which could threaten security in the city. Pegida almost immediately announced that they will still demonstrate, which triggered counter-demonstrations from left-wing groups.

According to a spokesperson for the city, Sunday was a bit busier than usual, but the police had the situation under control. Both the municipality and the police are satisfied with the results of the demonstration ban.

Some 15 Pegida supporters moved their demonstration to Hengelo on Sunday afternoon, because there was no demonstration ban. According to the police, they made no trouble and left on their own after a while. A group of Pegida supporters also gathered at the cell complex in Borne on Sunday afternoon, to demand Wagensveld's release.