Netherlands: Churchgoers breaking COVID rules attack journalists

The 43-year-old man accused of the attack was escorted out of the church during the service and arrested.

Not an isolated event

Worshippers at the Sion church in the town of Urk, northeast of Amsterdam, also reportedly attacked journalists at a service that took place without observing any protective measures.

A churchgoer deliberately hit a TV cameraman outside the church with his car, the German news agency dpa reported.

The journalists involved in the attacks were reportedly only slightly injured.

Reporters were also targeted with violence during anti-curfew riots earlier in the year.

Outrage over attacks on journalists

Several Dutch lawmakers from different political parties reacted with anger to the reports of violence and disregard for lockdown measures.

“Independent journalism is necessary for a democratic constitutional state,” Justice Minister Ferd Grapperhaus said.

“Let journalists do their job,” tweeted Lilianne Ploumen, the leader of the Social Democrats. Dutch police shared a similar message on Twitter.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte had already criticized the decision by the churches to hold in-person services during the lockdown.

The Dutch constitution prohibits the government from banning religious communities from gathering, but most have gone along with lockdown measures and allowed only a maximum of 30 people to take part in services.