27 Arrests and research into Hitlergeweet after demonstrating Nationalist Student Association NSV in Ghent at the end of March (Ghent)
The NSV demonstration took place on March 27 in Ghent. – © Belga
The demonstration of the Nationalist Student Association NSV on 27 March in Ghent led to 27 administrative arrests and a judicial investigation into bringing a Hitler salute. Mayor Mathias De Clercq (Open VLD) confirmed this in the city council.
Source: Belga
Today at 10:41 PM
On images that popped up after the demonstration, it was shown how a participant extends the arm in what looks like a niggoto. The police drafted an official report on 29 March and the public prosecutor’s office leads the current investigation.
According to the police, the NSV manifestation, under the slogan « generation of remigration », raised around 450 demonstrators. At the same time, the « solidarity parade » took place elsewhere in the city, with an estimated 1,000 participants. The police were present in the streets with an increased presence and carried out preventive checks, including at train stations. According to the police force, information was received that manifesters from, among others, Brussels, Antwerp and Liège, with potentially order -towering intentions, went to Ghent.
27 people were arrested administratively during the manifestation. The police also intervened when participants tried to cover their faces with balaclavas or scarves. About the course of the evening, the corps line states that there were no direct confrontations between the demonstrators of both camps, and that there were no reports of racist statements or physical aggression in the field itself.
The NSV demonstrators in the streets of Ghent. – © Belga
According to the mayor, the police would have suggested two cases to keep clientele temporarily in, to avoid mutual provocations. But there are no catering establishments obliged to close the doors, nor passed by to remove themselves.
Fundamental right
Mayor De Clercq defended the decision in the city council to allow the NSV manifestation. He referred to the fundamental right to argues and freedom of expression, but at the same time took a sharp distance from the content of the demonstration. « The fact that a manifestation was admitted does not mean that I support the opinion that was expressed within this manifestation. On the contrary: I find the message absolutely reprehensible. Rancid even. »
The police services indicate that it is impossible to calculate the exact cost of the deployment for both demonstrations, given the size and preparation of such order services. In addition to presence on the site, risk analyzes, consultation with other zones and monitoring of social media, was also used.
In the meantime, the mayor himself filed a complaint with the public prosecutor’s office against the NSV calling flyer. « I want to check whether the content of this pamphlet turns on to hatred, » said De Clercq. That research is also ongoing.
According to the mayor, admission to the demonstration is not free for future manifestations of a similar nature. He indicated that every new application will be reassessed on the basis of the police findings. « With new applications, the police will decide whether the events on March 27 will need to formulate a negative advice. »
