The controversial Dutch politician Thierry Baudet was attacked on Thursday evening as he entered a lecture theatre at Ghent University in East Flanders. The assailant hit Mr Baudet, who is known for his pro-Russian views and complot theories, with an umbrella. He shouted anti-fascist slogans in Ukrainian during the assault. The attacker was immediately detained and taken away by the police. It is not clear whether Mr Baudet was injured in the attack.
Ghent
Dutch politician Thierry Baudet struck on the head before lecture at Ghent University
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The VRT’s Ward Schouppe witnessed the assault . "The assailant started shouting in Ukrainian and hit Mr Baudet with a folding umbrella. He also shouted ‘no to fascism, no to Putinism’."
The man was then tackled to the ground by the police. "He was immediately put into a police car. Mr Baudet was escorted in by a security guard."
It is not clear whether Mr Baudet was injured in the attack. The assailant was detained by the police. Thierry Baudet's lecture was still able to go ahead as planned and started just after 8 p.m. About 300 people attended the lecture including the far-right activist and former federal MP Dries Van Langenhove.
Speaking on Dutch public radio Mr Baudet described the attack "simply terrible" He added that he is doing well under the circumstances, although he does have a "huge bump" on his head, he said.
Earlier in the evening there was also a peaceful protest against Mr Baudet’s visit at the Stadshal in the centre of Ghent. About twenty people dressed in Ukrainian flags and holding a banner with the message "No to Russian war propaganda. No to Thierry Baudet" gathered at the Stadshal.
Controversial
Mr Baudet's lecture was controversial to say the least. The Dutch politician is known for his conspiracy theories and pro-Russian stance. The conservative student fraternity KVHV had invited him for to lecture in Ghent. The lecture was to have taken place in early October, but it was canceled because the university had not been informed about the identity of the speaker in time. Finally, on Wednesday it was decided that the lecture could take place on Thursday evening.
KVHV has often invited controversial speakers to give lectures in the past. Last year there were skirmishes when the far-right MP Filip Dewinter came to Ghent to speak. In 2019, plastic surgeon Jeff Hoeyberghs made controversial comments about woman during a lecture he gave for KVHV. His sexist comments resulted in him being issued with a 1,000-euro fine.