Riot police in The Hague dispersed hundreds of far-right protesters on Saturday following violence during a banned demonstration against immigration and asylum policies. Authorities prohibited the march after clashes broke out among demonstrators gathered at Malieveld, a central city park, prompting police to order the crowd to disperse.

According to Dutch public broadcaster NOS, 24 people were arrested on charges including failure to comply with dispersal orders and illegal possession of weapons. The unrest escalated when some protesters threw fireworks and other projectiles at law enforcement officers, who responded with pepper spray and a water cannon. A police vehicle was set on fire amid the confrontations.

The protest was organised by the far-right group We Are the People. Justice Minister David van Weel condemned the events as “disgusting scenes,” noting that demonstrators made Nazi salutes, chanted antisemitic slogans, and attacked police personnel. He called for an “extremely firm” response via social media.

The headquarters of the centrist D66 party, whose leader Rob Jetten currently serves as prime minister, was also targeted during the clashes. Jetten described the demonstrators’ behaviour as deliberate provocation, highlighting the use of “abhorrent” far-right and antisemitic chants.

Saturday’s violence marks the anniversary of similar unrest at a right-wing demonstration in The Hague last year. Local authorities commended police officers for their efforts to maintain public order and uphold the rule of law during the incident.