In collaboration with
RTV North
News from the NOS•
On the N366 near Ter Apel, an asylum seeker hit passing cars with a barrier this morning. The police arrested the man. The mayor Velema of the municipality of Westerwolde is furious and asks for the intervention of the Secretary of State Eric van der Burg.
What exactly happened is not known. Several cars were damaged, according to the police. Victims, witnesses and people with camera images are called to report.
Velema: “There is now a lot of security in and around Ter Apelervenen. But despite the presence of the Marechaussee, police, COA and IND security, a confused and disturbed asylum seeker can run into the street with half a barrier” he says RTV North. “There could have been serious accidents there. I think it’s very serious that it happened.”
It is not yet clear to him how this could have happened. “It is true that people are regularly evicted from the AOC or the IND. So there is no transfer to the municipality or the police.” He wants the responsible authorities to cooperate better. “I contacted the Secretary of State this afternoon and said that action should be taken.”
At the end of September, an asylum seeker destroyed at least twenty cars to Ter Apel. He was sentenced to six weeks in prison. Velema sees a pattern. “It is not necessary that these kinds of potential bombs can roam freely. We can prevent it together, but there must be a single management of the organizations on Ter Apelervenen. This is the responsibility of the Secretary of State.”
Advance repair costs
Last time, the municipality of Westerwolde advanced the repair costs of the damaged cars. The bills were then sent to the Ministry of Justice and Security.
Also this time the victims can turn to the municipality, says Velema. “We have contacted the police. We have been forwarded the details of the victims. If this has not happened, people can contact the municipality.”
