Dutch PM: Cologne sex assaults "disgusting," "too bizarre"

Prime Minister Mark Rutte calls the large number of sexual violence incidents in Cologne, Germany over New Year's "completely unacceptable". "It is disgusting and too bizarre for words", he said to RTL Nieuws. "I hope that the German authorities manage to identify and arrest the perpetrators as quickly as possible. This must be punished", the Prime Minister said to the broadcaster on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday PVV leader Geert Wilders wrote an open letter to Rutte asking why he hasn't commented on the more than 100 police complaints in the city, which is only 65 kilometers from the Dutch border. "Hello Mr. Prime Minister? Are you still there?" Wilders wrote. According to the PVV leader, the fear currently prevalent in Germany, can also be felt in the Netherlands. The sexual violence incidents resulted in a fierce debate in the German city. Some people blame asylum seekers and German authorities stated that many of the perpetrators had a North-African or Arabic appearance. But Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker emphasized that there are no indications that the perpetrators came from the asylum centers. In response to Wilders' open letter, Rutte sad: "Of course we must remain vigilant in the Netherlands. And we are that too. What does not help is stigmatizing and adding fuel to the fire. I will not participate in that."