The Nationalist Student Union (NSV) demonstration in Ghent on 27 March has triggered an investigation into making of a Nazi salute reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich. 27 administrative arrests were carried out during the demo Ghent mayor Mathias De Clercq (Flemish liberal/Open VLD) told Ghent city council.
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Presumed Nazi salute at far-right NSV demo in Ghent triggers judicial investigation
Colin Clapson
Published:
Police drew up an official report after images appeared on social media showing a participant extending an arm in what looked like a Nazi salute. The Ghent public prosecutor's office is now trying to identify this person.
During the demonstration 27 people were administratively detained. Several were wearing balaclavas and scarves that made their face unrecognisable.
'Generation Remigration' demonstration with 450 participants
The NSV demonstration took place under the controversial slogan "Generation Remigration". There were around 450 protesters, according to the police. At the same time, there was a counter-demonstration called “Solidarity Parade” elsewhere in the city. Here an estimated 1,000 participants took part.
The police spoke of a relatively calm night: there were no reports of physical aggression or racist remarks, and the demonstrators did not meet.
There was some evidence that participants from Brussels, Antwerp and Liège wanted to disrupt order. The police were deployed in large numbers and carried out checks at railway stations as a precaution.
Investigation centres on Nazi salute and possible hate pamphlet
After images surfaced showing a participant extending their arm in what looked like a Nazi salute, the police drew up an official report. The public prosecutor's office is now conducting an investigation into the identity of the person(s) involved.
Ghent mayor Mathias De Clercq has also filed a complaint regarding an NSV pamphlet, asking the public prosecutor to investigate whether the content incites hatred.
No automatic approval for future demonstrations
Mr De Clercq previously defended the decision to allow the NSV demonstration, citing the fundamental right to free expression and demonstration. But he did distance himself from the content of the protest. "I find the message absolutely reprehensible. Rancid even," he stated.
The mayor stressed that allowing this demonstration does not set a precedent for the future. Any new application will be re-examined based on the facts and police reports: ‘In future applications, the police will take the events of 27 March into consideration when deciding whether to give a positive opinion.’