Riot police fire water cannon at far-right protesters at Brussels terror memorial
RIOT police today clashed with far-right demonstrators at a square in Brussels where tributes have been laid to victims of the Belgium terror attacks.
Riot police have confronted far-right demonstrators in Brussels
Authorities fired a water cannon after the protesters started confronting Muslim women in the crowd, making Nazi salutes and chanting.
The Belgium interior minister urged protesters not to attend saying police were too stretched in the hunt for suspects involved in the attacks.
However, hundreds still gathered to pay their respects to the 31 people killed in the twin terror attacks in the Belgium capital.
The far-right protesters took over the square where people had congregated to lay flowers and light candles for the victims of the terror attacks.
The crowd called themselves "fascists against terrorism."
Dozens of men, some in balaclavas, made their way to the steps of the Brussels Stock Exchange
Riot police have confronted far-right demonstrators in Brussels
Dozens of men, some in balaclavas, made their way to the steps of the Brussels Stock Exchange and unfurled a banner with an anti-Islamic State (ISIS) message.
Local sources estimated that nearly 400 people made up the far-right 'anti-ISIS' march.
One protester, who said his name was Mario, said: "We want answers from the government. There are too many fanatics in this country."
The protest unfurled a banner with an anti-Islamic State (ISIS) message
The crowds chanted "this is our home" while taking on the riot police.
There are reports flowers left at the scene have been trampled
Groups clashed among the floral tributes
This brings shame on our country
Mayor of Brussels Yvan Mayeur said: “I am appalled by what is happening, to see that such thugs, with Nazi links, are provoking locals at the site where they are paying tribute to the victims.
“This brings shame on our country. We were warned by security forces about their possible attendance, to ‘clean up the streets of Brussels’, according to security sources’, and nothing was done to stop them from coming.”
At least 10 arrests have been made following the unrest, Belgian police have confirmed.
Authorities fired a water cannon after the protesters started confronting Muslim women
Brussels March Against Fear is called off over security concerns
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel urged for “respect at a time of mourning for the whole country”.
Mr Michel added: “It is completely inappropriate for demonstrators to break up the tributes in Place de la Bourse.
“People are uniting there for reassurance. I strongly condemn these outbursts.”
The Belgian leader vowed everything would be done to “send the demonstrators back home” and urged for people to “remain composed and calm so the police could do their job”.
Meanwhile, Belgian police carried out 13 new raids today and took more people in for questioning on Sunday as part of investigations into the attacks.