Turkey has started cracking down on Dutch nationals in the country amid an intensifying row between the two countries, detaining those who are critical of the Turkish president and preventing others from leaving the country.
Dutch foreign ministry spokeswoman told Reuters and the Independent that they don’t have a precise number of citizens who are barred from leaving the country. Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that up to 100 Dutch nationals are believed to be stranded in Turkey.
Ankara’s move comes amid a dispute between the Netherlands and Turkey — a spiraling crisis in which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to retaliate in the past. Turkey declared Dutch ambassador persona non grata last month and promised to impose sanctions after the Netherlands did not allow Turkish ministers to speak in campaign rallies.
The spokeswoman said some of the Dutch nationals might be connected to the Gulen movement, an opposition group blamed for orchestrating last summer’s military coup attempt, and that they’re working to help those who sought a consular help. She added that they also hold Turkish citizenship.
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