NOS News – yesterday, 22:50 – Updated today, 04:23 In Amsterdam, the police turned out en masse to the RAI, where it was possible to vote for the Turkish elections on Sunday. Shortly before the polls closed, a big brawl broke out. According to a spokesperson for the RAI, representatives of two political parties had been quarreling since they were present to steer the elections in the right direction. Dozens of officers acted as dog handlers to restore calm. The riot police was also on site and a police helicopter flew above the event hall for a long time. A spokesman for the police speaks of “a major event”. View images of the atmosphere in and around the RAI here: 0: 55 Major brawl at Turkish ballot box at RAI Amsterdam A witness says that there were already tensions in the RAI in recent days, but that the situation has now exploded. “There was screaming, panic and mayhem,” he says. Restless for a long time It remained restless around the RAI for a long time. Some of those present went outside and lingered around the building. “A number of them wanted to go back inside to pick up stuff,” the spokesperson told ANP news agency. Those present also told a reporter from AT5 that they still wanted to vote horses. But the police did not allow that at first, to prevent new confrontations with people who were still present in the RAI. “In the end, we let them in in phases. Then peace returned,” said the police. Around 02:30 the last people had left. It is unknown if there were any injuries. No arrests have been made. Early voting In the RAI, Turkish nationals were able to vote for the last time today in the presidential and parliamentary elections in that country. In Turkey itself, the elections are not until next Sunday, but Turkish citizens living abroad can vote earlier. Last week, the polls in the RAI also ended in disturbances. Polls indicate that the presidential election will be a neck-and-neck race between President Erdogan and opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. source
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