The conflict between Turks and Kurds has been creating a tense atmosphere in Ghent for several days. Despite calls from mayor Mathias De Clercq and the Ghent police, things got out of hand again in the night from Wednesday to Thursday. 22 arrests and a destroyed Kurdish bakery followed.
Read more about the tensions between PKK supporters and individuals within the Turkish community in our file.
“From the early evening until late at night, the police had a strong presence in various places to protect people and buildings. For the second night in a row, we can also say that the atmosphere was grim and groups of young people gathered in the public domain to enter into confrontation or commit criminal acts,” said Matto Langeraert, spokesperson for the Ghent police.
“Our strong presence on the ground allowed us to respond very quickly and we succeeded in administratively arresting 22 hotheads, people of whom we had clear indications that they were looking to disrupt public order or commit legal acts. ” Weapons were found on or in the immediate vicinity of the young people, including knives and a Molotov cocktail. Half of the people turned out to be minors.
“Don’t let it ignite”
“Despite our efforts, we were unable to prevent another business of a Kurdish entrepreneur from being vandalized as we cannot be present always and everywhere.” More specifically, it concerns a bakery along Frans van Ryhovelaan. “Reports continue to come in to increase the polarization of the situation (a situation that has nothing to do with Ghent), coupled with information that young people of Turkish descent are ready to intervene and reports that people of Kurdish descent are coming from abroad. and would sooner or later descend armed to Ghent.” The Ghent police continues to call for and seek support to normalize the situation in Ghent and to realize the consequences. “We believe that every Ghent resident with Turkish and Kurdish sub-identity should not allow themselves to be incited to harm each other and the city. We also reiterate that there is a strong focus on a judicial investigation into all the facts.”
Also read:
– Gypsy gang intimidates dozens of sellers of gold and fur coats: “Barely 400 euros paid for jewelry worth 10,000 euros” (+)
– 15-year-old girl was robbed by TikTokker ‘Flinke Jongen’: “I had received money from mom, but suddenly lost everything” (+)
– Did jeweler robber shoot on impulse or of his own free will? Psychiatrist explains in court: “When we know we could die, we do everything in overkill” (+)
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Tags: Conflict Kurds Turks hand Ghent Kurdish bakery destroyed people arrested Riots HeusdenZolder HouthalenHelchteren
