Firebomb Thrown at Dutch D66 Party Office in The Hague

A firebomb was thrown through the letterbox of the Dutch D66 party’s offices in The Hague on Thursday evening. The explosion occurred at around 9 p.m., and police arrested a suspect about an hour later. No one was injured.

About 30 people were in the building at the time for an event organized by the party’s youth wing, the Young Democrats, according to Dutch public broadcaster NOS. Rachelle Smook, the organization’s president, said the blast was accompanied by a loud bang and left the building filled with smoke.

D66 leader and Prime Minister Rob Jetten described the incident as a “cowardly act of intimidation” and said violence would not silence democratic debate.

The party’s office has been targeted before. Last September, rioters smashed the building’s windows after an anti-immigration demonstration. The unrest later escalated into clashes with police, and several participants were eventually convicted.

(max)