At least four officers injured after Eritrean groups riot in The Hague

Four police officers were reportedly injured during riots surrounding a gathering of the Eritrean community in The Hague on Saturday night. The police stated that they had made several arrests.

Politiewagen in de brand. Traangas speelt zwaar op. Ademen gaat op sommige momenten moeilijk en ook ogen doen pijn. #rellen #DenHaag. pic.twitter.com/oZPiQXcIuk

— Owen (@_owenobrien_) February 17, 2024

UPDATE: tijdens de rellen op de #Fruitweg met Eritreeërs is een politievoertuig in brand gestoken. https://t.co/aG13e1Al7b pic.twitter.com/rDaU4LqneS

— Regio15.nl (@regio15) February 17, 2024

Two police officers suffered hand injuries. Another police officer suffered injuries to his teeth. In addition, one officer was injured because he was hit by a police car. "Our colleagues were confronted with very intense and serious violence out of nowhere," said General Commander Mariëlle van Vulpen. "It is very regrettable that colleagues were injured and that other officers were also severely assaulted, which is unacceptable. Together with the public prosecutor's office, we are conducting an extensive investigation into these incidents."

According to the police, it was probably a confrontation between pro-government and anti-government Eritreans. During the riots around the Opera conference center on Fruitweg, stones, and fireworks were thrown at police officers and the fire department. According to Omroep West, bicycles, branches and fireworks were also thrown. Furthermore, two police vehicles were set on fire. A bus also caught fire and several cars were destroyed by stones being thrown.

Relschoppers dringen een ingang binnen bij de #Opera. Ramen gaan eruit en er wordt geprobeerd binnen te komen. Brandweer is ook weer vertrokken en kan niet blussen. #rellen #DenHaag. pic.twitter.com/q2U0BOUfIb

— Owen (@_owenobrien_) February 17, 2024

The conference hall was also badly damaged. The police reported that several visitors felt unwell due to the smoke and heat.

The Hague mayor Jan van Zanen issued an emergency order and the Mobile Unit and tear gas were used to disperse the rioters. According to a spokesperson, the emergency order applies to a radius of 500 meters around the conference center. With the order, police can stop and screen anyone in the area, and then decide whether or not to send them away. Anyone who does not leave can be arrested. The mayor called the violence used against the police "appalling and unacceptable" on Saturday evening.

Yeşilgöz calls attacks on emergency workers during riots unacceptable

Outgoing Justice Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz called the events surrounding a meeting of the Eritrean community in The Hague on Saturday evening "completely unacceptable".

"The fact that emergency workers are attacked during their work goes beyond all limits. This behavior will not remain without consequences," Yesilgöz wrote on X. "I would like to thank the police, the fire department and the emergency services for their tireless efforts. I wish all the injured a lot of strength and a speedy recovery," she stated.

Wat er vanavond in Den Haag is gebeurd is compleet onacceptabel. Hulpverleners die worden aangevallen tijdens hun werk gaat alle perken te buiten. Dit gedrag blijft niet zonder consequenties.
Ik wil de politie, brandweer en ambulancepersoneel bedanken voor hun tomeloze inzet.…

— Dilan Yesilgöz - Zegerius (@DilanYesilgoz) February 17, 2024