Man severely beaten after Amersfoort Pride; Police probe anti-LGBTQ+ motive
A man was severely beaten and left seriously injured after attending Amersfoort Pride. The victim said he was pulled from his bicycle on his way home and assaulted by several young men, who have not been found. Police are investigating whether the violence was related to the victim's LGBTQ+ identity, RTV Utrecht reports.
The man called police himself at about 3 a.m. after the attack. When officers arrived, they found him with serious injuries. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance. His current condition is unknown.
The victim had attended Amersfoort Pride earlier that day and was cycling toward Leusden during the night when the attack happened, according to RTV Utrecht. Police said the suspected attackers were riding fat bikes. They have not yet been located.
Because the man was alone when officers found him, police are asking witnesses to come forward. They are also seeking camera footage that may help identify what happened and who was involved.
Pride Amersfoort chairwoman Linda van Tuyl told NOS she finds the incident “terrible.” She said there is still a great deal that remains unclear and that the matter should be handled by police and the mayor. “We trust that they will handle this properly,” Van Tuyl said.
She also said she believes violence against LGBTQ+ people is increasing and urged people to always report. “We call on people to always report this. That is very important,” she said.
Van Tuyl said other Pride attendees were deeply affected by the news. “We receive app messages and emails from people who are upset. They have the feeling, "This could have happened to us too,” she said.
