Protester speaks out on Dutch police's harsh treatment

ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands

Turkish man who joined a demonstration to protest Dutch government after its ban on Turkish ministers speaks out on police's use of force.

Huseyin Kurt is one of the thousands of protesters gathering in support of Turkish Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya who was denied entry into Turkish consulate in Rotterdam. She was later forced to leave the area with police escort.

Earlier on Saturday, the Dutch government canceled the Turkish foreign minister's flight permit to the Netherlands.

Kurt was with his elder brother, taking their place on the first line of the group. "Suddenly, police officers attacked and hit us with baton," Kurt told Anadolu Agency in an interview.

The protest erupted after Dutch police blocked Kaya from entering the consulate to address Turkish citizens over April 16 referendum campaign. Kaya said she suffered "harsh and rude treatment" at the hands of Dutch authorities.

Kurt said Dutch police unleashed a security dog on them and he was bitten on his calf. He went to say that the Dutch police firstly hit his brother with a baton and he fell down.

"His eyes were open when he was on the floor, but he seemed fainted. Because he was not able to answer our questions. We were drenched in blood for 20 minutes," Kurt said.

Kurt said several people attempted to help them, but the police did not allow, adding that they escaped a police detention after medical teams told the police of their condition. He said they were later rushed to hospital.

Koksal Kurt, the injured protester's cousin, accused the Dutch police of using disproportionate force with batons and guard dogs.

"The police officers kept us away and blocked us from helping them," said Koksal Kurt.

*Reporting by Abdullah Asiran; Writing by Fatih Hafiz Mehmet