Riots in Holland amid diplomatic rift with Turkey

BY Libyan Express Mar 12, 2017 - 11:04

Demonstrators face Dutch riot police outside the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam CREDIT: REUTERS

BBC – Dutch riot police have clashed with protesters in Rotterdam, amid a diplomatic row that saw a Turkish minister escorted out of the country.

Water cannon and police on horseback were used to disperse about 1,000 people outside the Turkish consulate.

The minister was trying to win support among expatriates for a referendum on expanding Turkish presidential powers.

The Dutch government says such rallies would stoke tensions days before the Netherlands’ general election.

Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya, Turkey’s family minister, had arrived by road on Saturday ahead of her planned rally.

But she was denied entry to the consulate in Rotterdam.

Ms Kaya was then taken to the German border by police, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed early on Sunday morning.

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