Anti-asylum riots fueled by instigators from outside municipality, mayor says

Instigators from outside the municipality likely fueled anti-asylum protests in Opheusden and Kesteren, reported mayor Jan Kottelenberg of the municipality of Neder Betuwe, which covers the towns. Four police officers required emergency medical treatment for hearing damage following protests against plans to shelter 132 asylum seekers in the area that spiraled out of control last month.

“It strongly appears that these riots are being fueled by splinter groups from outside the municipality, who then incite our own local youth to participate in acts of severe violence,” Kottelenberg said. “It is shocking to see how misinformation circulates on social media and how positions become entrenched. The authorities are accused of ‘not listening,’ but that becomes rather difficult when someone hurls a Cobra firecracker at your head.”

“I certainly hope that common sense will prevail once more,” the mayor said. “That conversations with residents, business owners, associations, and churches regarding asylum seeker accommodation can get underway. That citizens talk to one another - but above all, listen to each other, ask questions, and work together with the municipality to find solutions.”

“In the nearly ten years I have served as mayor here, I have always seen our residents join forces constructively to tackle the challenges facing our community. I have seen how we, despite our differences, acknowledge and help one another when the need arises. The riots of recent weeks are completely at odds with that picture,” Kottelenberg said.

Research by NOS showed that over 40 percent of anti-asylum rioters arrested at protests over the past years have come from outside the municipality they were rioting in.