Social-media videos show a Dutch police officer grabbing and throwing a visibly pregnant woman to the ground outside an immigration detention centre in Zeist, prompting international outrage. The woman says she was there because her husband, identified as 30-year-old Wesam Mekdad from Gaza, had been detained. Dutch police said they were called about alleged vandalism and knife threats but have not explained why force was used against the pregnant bystander. Separate clips show the woman appearing dazed and being dragged along the floor while officers and bystanders clash.
Video Shows Dutch Officer Throw Pregnant Woman To Ground At Zeist Immigration Centre — Global Outrage
Image via Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images
Footage circulating on social media shows a Dutch police officer grabbing a visibly pregnant woman and throwing her to the ground outside an immigration detention centre in Zeist, the Netherlands. The video, reported by Metro UK, has sparked widespread condemnation online.
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What the Video Shows
In the widely shared clip, officers are seen surrounding a man when a visibly pregnant woman approaches. One officer then forcibly pulls the woman to the floor. Shortly after, a man in the crowd rushes toward the officers and appears to attempt to punch the officer who knocked the woman down; the officer strikes back and several other officers become involved in the altercation. In a separate segment of footage, the woman—appearing dazed—is shown being dragged along the floor as bystanders watch.
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People Involved
The woman has said she was at the immigration centre because authorities had detained her husband. Local reports identify the man linked to the arrest as 30-year-old Wesam Mekdad, a Palestinian from Gaza.
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Police Account and Public Reaction
Dutch police stated that officers were initially called to the site over an alleged vandalism incident that included threats involving a knife. Authorities have not provided an official explanation for the use of force against the pregnant woman. The footage has prompted international outrage on social media, with many viewers demanding answers and calling for an independent review of the incident.
Context
The videos remain under public scrutiny as journalists and online users share and analyze the clips. No formal statement detailing disciplinary measures or an investigation timeline has been released by police as of the reports cited.
Note: This article is based on social media footage and contemporary media reports. Further developments may emerge as authorities review the incident.
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