A planned Quran burning by right-wing extremists has sparked violent protests in the Dutch city of Arnhem. An attempt to burn the book caused an uproar. Three people were temporarily arrested.
According to police, the leader of the right-wing extremist Pegida group in the Netherlands, Edwin Wagensveld, tried to burn the Koran in the center of Arnhem on Saturday. Counter-protesters used violence to prevent him from doing so.
Images of the escalation in Arnhem:
Some protesters then rioted and attacked police with fireworks and stones, it was said. Police intervened and temporarily arrested three people. According to the police, about ten people were involved in the Pegida campaign.
Action registered and approved
Burning the Koran is not prohibited in the Netherlands. The action had previously been registered and approved, according to Mayor Ahmed Marcouch. “I understand the sadness and emotions that the burning of a holy book causes,” he told the ANP news agency. “But violence is unacceptable.”
The right-wing extremist has already been convicted in the past for insulting Muslims. He also caused outrage several times by tearing up the Koran. Last year, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan protested.
Source: Krone
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