World · Africa · 8 hrs ago
Netherlands closes Cairo embassy after nine days of protests
The Netherlands closed its Cairo embassy after protests against the country continued for a ninth day.
The demonstrations oppose the arrest of Egyptian official Ahmed Nasser, deputy head of the Union of Egyptian Youth Abroad.
Dutch police arrested Nasser on October 10 over an alleged threat against activist Anas Habib, and his pretrial detention was extended by 14 days.
Habib drew attention last year by locking the gate of Egypt's embassy in The Hague to protest Egypt keeping the Rafah crossing with Gaza closed to Palestinians seeking to flee.
The protests have repeatedly forced embassy evacuations for security reasons.
Egypt's foreign minister asked his Dutch counterpart to release Nasser and explain his arrest, but demonstrations continued after both sides said they wanted to maintain good relations.
The embassy's reopening date is unknown; it remains reachable for urgent consular help.
The Netherlands has temporarily closed its embassy in Cairo after protests against the country continued for nine days.
The embassy said it was closed as a precaution until further notice.
Protesters are objecting to the arrest in the Netherlands of Ahmed Nasser, a representative of the Union of Egyptian Youth Abroad.
The embassy was evacuated during each demonstration for security reasons.
The Dutch Foreign Ministry said staff safety was its highest priority.
- Who
- The Netherlands’ embassy in Cairo closed. Protesters have been demonstrating against the Netherlands.
- What
- The embassy was temporarily closed after nine consecutive days of protests.
- When
- The closure followed the ninth day of protests. Nasser was arrested on 10 October.
- Where
- Cairo, Egypt, in the Zamalek district.
- Why
- The demonstrations are against the arrest of Ahmed Nasser by Dutch police.
Protesters calling for Nasser’s release
Dutch authorities
Nasser’s arrest
Protesters calling for Nasser’s release
Protesters object to his arrest and have called for his release.
Dutch authorities
Dutch police arrested Nasser; the sources do not state the authorities’ position on calls for his release.
Ahmed Nasser was arrested by Dutch police.
Egypt’s foreign minister asked his Dutch counterpart to release Nasser and explain the arrest.
Demonstrations against the Netherlands took place at the embassy in Cairo.
The Netherlands’ embassy in Cairo was temporarily closed.
- Embassy
- Netherlands’ embassy in Cairo
- Closure
- Temporarily closed until further notice
- Protests
- Nine consecutive days
- Arrest
- Ahmed Nasser, 10 October
- Location
- Zamalek district, Cairo
What people are saying
closed as a precaution until further notice
the safety of our employees is always our highest priority