The planned burning of the Quran by right-wing extremists has led to violent protests in Arnhem, the Netherlands. Police said the leader of the far-right extremist group Pegida in the Netherlands, Edwin Wagensveld, attempted to burn a Quran in central Arnhem yesterday. Counter-protesters used violence to stop him from doing so.
It was also reported that some of the protesters rioted and attacked the police with fireworks and stones. The police intervened and temporarily arrested three people. According to the police, around ten people were involved in the Pegida campaign.
Not prohibited
Burning the Quran is not prohibited in the Netherlands. The action had already been registered and approved previously, said Mayor Ahmed Marcouch. “I understand the sadness and emotion that the burning of a sacred book causes,” he told the ANP news agency. “But violence is unacceptable.”
The right-wing extremist has been convicted of insulting Muslims in the past. He also caused outrage several times by tearing up the Quran. Last year, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan protested.