Climate activists in the Netherlands face detention as over 1,500 are arrested

More than 1,500 individuals were detained during a demonstration led by the Extinction Rebellion climate group in The Hague, as confirmed by Dutch police.

The activists staged a blockade on a section of a motorway in the city center to protest against Dutch fossil fuel subsidies.

Law enforcement authorities resorted to using water cannons to disperse activists who had blocked a major road, resulting in the arrest of 1,579 people.

Among those detained, 40 individuals are expected to face prosecution, primarily on charges related to vandalism.

During the arrests, one activist reportedly bit a police officer.

Prominent Dutch figures, including Carice van Houten, renowned for her portrayal of Melisandre in the popular TV series “Game of Thrones,” were present at the protest.

While van Houten was initially arrested, she was subsequently released, and it remains unclear if she will be among those prosecuted.

This demonstration marks the seventh organized by Extinction Rebellion in the area of The Hague, with the highest number of arrests recorded thus far, according to the Dutch news agency ANP.