Eight arrested, officer injured during unregistered asylum protest in The Hague

Police arrested eight people and one officer was injured Saturday during an unregistered protest against the planned housing of asylum seekers in a former hospital building, authorities said.

The demonstration took place along Sportlaan in The Hague and targeted plans to house asylum seekers in the former HagaZiekenhuis, located in the Vogelwijk neighborhood, De Telegraaf reports. During the protest, a police officer was struck on the back of the head with an object. The officer was injured and examined by ambulance personnel at the scene.

The protest began early in the afternoon and quickly became disorderly. Riot police intervened multiple times, carrying out charges against demonstrators and using batons. According to regional broadcaster Omroep West, some demonstrators gave the Hitler salute during the unrest. Police described the crowd as including many young men dressed in dark clothing and wearing caps.

Of the eight people arrested, police said several are suspected of criminal offenses including disrupting public order and insulting officers. One person was arrested specifically on suspicion of assaulting the injured officer.

The protest was not registered with the municipality. Ahead of the demonstration, the mayor designated the area a security risk zone from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., allowing police to conduct preventive searches.

The former HagaZiekenhuis currently serves as a winter shelter for 80 homeless people. Beginning next quarter, the site is scheduled to be expanded in phases to accommodate additional groups, including asylum seekers, young people and homeless families. The plan calls for approximately 750 temporary residents in total.