An anti-migrant protest in the Netherlands was taken over by violent rioters who clashed with police on Saturday.
Thousands of people had been taking part in demonstrations against mass migration in The Hague.
However, the gathering became violent as rocks and bottles were thrown at riot police who used water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds.
A police car was set on fire and protesters also blocked a nearby highway.
The protest had originally been organised by a 26-year-old woman known as “Els Rechts” who describes herself as a political activist.
Stricter migration policies and a crackdown on asylum seekers were the original focus of the demonstration which was taking place just a month before a national election.
However, after the situation descended into chaos, Ms Rechts urged the protesters to go home, saying: “How terrible I find this! I condemn every form of violence!
“What happened here is incomprehensible. Police officers were cornered, and things were destroyed and set on fire.
People originally gathered for a demonstration demanding stronger migration laws
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“I assumed that people came to demonstrate peacefully, but unfortunately, for whatever reason, it turned out very differently.
“I regret that it happened this way. If I had known this in advance, I would never have organised it.”
So far, 30 people have been arrested and it is understood that two police officers were injured.
Authorities have also said more arrests could take place in the coming days as camera footage is reviewed.
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Two police officers were injured in the unrest
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Geert Wilders, leader of the Netherlands’ hard-right Freedom Party declined an invitation to speak at the protests.
Opinion polls are currently projecting his party will take first place in the upcoming elections.
Discussing the protests, Mr Wilders said on social media: “Tackle this scum with an iron fist. Blocking the highway and violence against police is totally and completely unacceptable. Idiots.”
Thirty arrests have been made so far but authorities have said there may be more
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The liberal party D66 had its offices vandalised during the unrest.
Rob Jetten, leader of the party, said: “Keep your hands off political parties. If you think you can intimidate us, tough luck.
“We will never let extremist rioters take our beautiful country away from us.”
