(NL Times) Edwin Wagensveld, the head of the Dutch branch of anti-Islam organization Pegida, was injured during a demonstration in Arnhem where he wanted to burn a copy of the Quran. Despite the intervention of the riot police, counter-demonstrators managed to attack him. Three police officers also suffered injuries, Mayor Ahmed Marcouch told ANP. He said the police were assaulted, and pelted with fireworks and rocks.
“It is very sad and disappointing that so much violence has been used. I am extremely angry about it,” said the mayor. “I understand the sadness and emotion that burning a holy book evokes. But violence is unacceptable. You have to fight ideas with ideas.”
Three people have been arrested. Marcouch said more people may be arrested in the coming days. “There are good images available of what happened,” he said of camera footage captured at the scene.
