Hundreds detained after Dutch coronavirus protest turns violent

Dutch police detained 400 people after a banned protest in The Hague, where demonstrators called for coronavirus restrictions to be relaxed.

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A protester clashing with a police officer during the demonstration in The Hague. Source: Getty

Some 400 people have been detained by Dutch police after demonstrators refused to leave a protest in The Hague against social-distancing measures.

Several thousand protesters had gathered in the Malieveld area, close to the Dutch seat of government, even though the rally was banned.

"We have detained some 400 people today. A large number of them have been since let go," police said on Twitter on Sunday.



Authorities had allowed a brief protest to go ahead in the afternoon before asking demonstrators to leave.

Protesters were wearing T-shirts that read "Stop the lockdown" and carried banners demanding the Dutch rule to keep a distance of 1.5 meters apart be lifted.

Police eventually ended the demonstration and detained a group of 400 people who refused to leave.

The Hague Mayor Johan Remkes said the demonstration was banned because authorities had information that "troublemakers" from all over the Netherlands, including groups of known football hooligans, were planning to descend on The Hague.

"This has nothing to do with protesting or the right to freedom of speech. This group was deliberately trying to disturb public order," Remkes said in a statement.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.

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