Amsterdam: tram burned during riots, tensions remain high

Amsterdam: tram burned during riots, tensions remain high
Amsterdam: tram burned during riots, tensions remain high

This article was originally published in English

Police said the fire was quickly extinguished and riot officers evacuated the square, although it was unclear who started the unrest or whether it was linked to last week’s violence.

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Riots broke out Monday evening in one of the suburbs of Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, and demonstrators destroyed public infrastructure.

The Nieuw-West riot occurs as thestate of emergency was established in the city following the violence which surrounded the football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv last Thursday.

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According to local media, a tram was set on fire and several cars were damaged by stones thrown by the rioters.

Police said the fire was quickly extinguished and riot officers evacuated the square, without knowing precisely who had started the unrest or if they were linked to the violence of last week.

Police, however, highlighted the tense atmosphere that has reigned since five people were treated in hospital and dozens of people were arrested Thursday at the following a Maccabi Tel Aviv-Ajax match.

According to the mayor of Amsterdam, young people on scooters and on foot set out in search of Israeli supporters, punching and kicking them before fleeing to escape the police.

Images of Monday’s violence posted online show dozens of people armed with sticks and firecrackers damaging property and throwing firecrackers.

Five new arrests concern minors

Furthermore, the Dutch police announced on Monday five new arrests as part of the investigation into this violence.

The suspects are men aged 18 to 37, from Amsterdam or neighboring towns. Four of them are still in police custody; the fifth was released, but remains suspect.

Previously, police said four other men arrested last week would remain in custody while the investigation continued.

According to police, two of them are minors, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old from Amsterdam, while the other two men are from Amsterdam and a neighboring city.

Police said they had identified more than 170 witnesses and collected dozens of forensic evidence.

The mayor of Amsterdam has banned all demonstrations in the city and declared several risk zones where police can arrest and control anyone.

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