Civilians conduct more unauthorized border checks near German border, police intervene
About 30 civilians carried out unauthorized vehicle checks Sunday evening near Sellingen in Groningen, continuing a series of self-organized border actions reportedly aimed at stopping asylum seekers.
The latest incident occurred on Hassebergerweg, near the German border, and followed similar actions that took place last week in Ter Apel. The group stopped vehicles traveling toward Germany and inspected some with the drivers' consent.
Both Dutch and German police responded and spoke with the individuals involved. Officers asked the group to leave, and they complied. No arrests were made, and police allegedly did not check identification. However, license plates were recorded, according to RTV Noord.
The actions mirrored last weekend’s incident in Ter Apel, where civilians pulled drivers off the road for inspections. The municipality of Westerwolde, which includes Ter Apel, condemned that action as “life-threatening” and stressed that civilians are not allowed to stop vehicles on public roads.
Justice Minister Van Weel, currently serving in a caretaker capacity, acknowledged the frustration behind the actions but warned against taking the law into one’s own hands. “I understand their frustration, but I urge people not to do this,” he said.
