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Collision: Church service attendees attack journalists
Photo: Robin Van Lonkhuijsen / dpa
Church service attendees violently attacked journalists in two locations in the Netherlands.
The Orthodox Protestant churches in Urk and Krimpen aan den IJssel opened their doors to hundreds of visitors on Sunday morning despite the strict Corona rules and public criticism.
Church services took place without observing protective measures.
Journalists covering this were attacked in front of the churches.
According to eyewitnesses, a 43-year-old man kicked and hit a TV reporter in Krimpen on the Ijssel near Rotterdam.
The man was taken from the service a little later and arrested, the police said.
In Urk, northeast Amsterdam, a man intentionally drove a car into a TV cameraman.
Church visitors had previously kicked reporters there, as can be seen on TV images.
The journalists are said to have been slightly injured.
Religious gatherings are not prohibited in the Netherlands
Police and politicians called the violence unacceptable.
Justice Minister Ferd Grapperhaus declared: "Independent journalism is necessary for a democratic constitutional state." MPs from several parties also reacted angrily.
»Let journalists do their work«, wrote the leader of the Social Democrats, Lilianne Ploumen, on Twitter.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte had previously criticized the churches as irresponsible for allowing hundreds of people to worship despite the lockdown.
Religious communities cannot be prohibited from gathering under the constitution.
So far, however, most communities have adhered to the rules and allowed a maximum of 30 visitors to church services.
caw / dpa
