Video: Police break up unauthorized protest at Ter Apel asylum center; Two arrested

Dutch police on Saturday dismantled an unauthorized right-wing protest outside the asylum reception center in Ter Apel, Westerwolde municipality, arresting two people after confrontations with officers and attempts to breach a rival demonstration, RTV Noord reports.

One suspect was detained for insulting police officers, allegedly calling them “NSB-ers” (a reference to Dutch wartime Nazi collaborators), while a second was arrested for trying to reach a separate group of counterprotesters.

The intervention followed Mayor Jaap Velema's decision to issue an emergency order banning the unregistered demonstration. Authorities said the gathering had not been reported in advance, prompting the immediate prohibition.

Around midday, police separated groups of both supporters and opponents of the asylum center who had arrived in Ter Apel. Officers directed them into two designated zones near the facility on Nulweg, positioned a few hundred meters apart and reinforced with barriers.

Despite the activist group Defend Netherlands's earlier withdrawal over fears of unrest, approximately 30 supporters from other right-wing organizations still gathered in the area. When they refused to leave their section voluntarily, police surrounded a group of about 15 demonstrators and moved in to disperse them. During the operation, officers confiscated a flag featuring far-right symbols.

At the same time, a counterdemonstration organized by “Groningen tegen extreemrechts” (Groningen against the far right) proceeded without disruption and involved roughly 200 participants. That event had been properly registered with authorities and was allowed to continue. Participants chanted “refugees are welcome here” toward the opposing group.

Shortly after police ended the right-wing protest, remaining participants left the site. Authorities had implemented broad precautionary measures ahead of the demonstrations.

Police ordered several vehicles to be towed in the area around the asylum center earlier in the morning to ensure emergency access and prevent potential roadblocks, according to local reporting. A nearby fuel station on Nulweg closed preemptively.

The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) advised residents inside the Ter Apel facility to remain indoors during the protests, an instruction most reportedly appeared to follow. Public transport operator Qbuzz suspended bus line 73 between Emmen and Ter Apel during the demonstrations.