The riots broke out last night after people of Kurdish and Turkish descent came to blows. A group of Syrian Kurds from Leuven celebrated Newruz, a Persian festival. A convoy has traveled to Heusden-Zolder and Houthalen-Helchteren.
“They started to provoke the Turkish population with flags,” says Geert Verheyen, chief of police of CARMA police zone. “This led to an incident in which a young man of Turkish origin asked the caravan why it was necessary to drive through the streets with PKK flags. He then received several blows.”
The incident subsequently escalated further. “A family from Leuven hid with a number of friends in the immediate vicinity of the incident. From there we spent hours trying to restore public order.”
Car windows were shattered, flags were set on fire and several people were beaten. It took several corps, a helicopter and a water cannon to keep the communities apart. By 11 p.m. the situation was under control.
Tags: Schools mosques increased surveillance riots injured people HeusdenZolder HouthalenHelchteren
