At least 20 young asylum seekers were arrested after they rioted at the asylum center where they’ve been living in Lunner, about an hour’s drive north of Oslo. They were said to have caused “considerable material damage” after barricading themselves in the asylum center’s gymnasium.
One police officer was hit by a rock thrown by one of the refugees, all of whom are teenagers who arrived in Norway on their own. On Thursday, one of them had been told he was being moved to another asylum center and he strenuously objected.
News bureau NTB reported that the 17-year-old won sympathy and support from other residents, and that set off the violence. Local police had to call for reinforcements from Oslo, Romerike and Buskerud to gain control over the situation. That was achieved after the 17-year-old was removed from the center. Another five residents were moved as well.
“There’s quite a lot of broken windows, both on the buildings and our police cars,” said Pål Erik Teigen of the Vestoppland Police District. There were no reports of personal injuries.
The asylum center in the otherwise relatively peaceful rural town of Lunner opened in 2013 and caters to minors who seek asylum and have no parent or guardian with them.
newsinenglish.no staff
