In brief
Police are investigating the repeated vandalism at the Ereveld memorial complex, which honors Soviet soldiers of the Great Patriotic War. After the first incident on July 10, 150 graves were defaced with red paint. The latest attack, reported by local TV broadcaster RTV Utrecht, added black graffiti to the memorial.
A Soviet war cemetery near Leusden in the Dutch province of Utrecht was vandalized again on July 17, 2014, marking the second act of defacement at the site this year. Local television channel RTV Utrecht reported that vandals painted red and black graffiti on various parts of the memorial complex that honors Heroes of the Great Patriotic War.
Police have opened an investigation, with officers and forensic experts working at the site to gather evidence. The cemetery, managed by the Soviet War Cemetery Foundation, is part of the Ereveld memorial complex in the surrounding area.
Remco Reiding, director of the Soviet War Cemetery Foundation, said:
This is tragic and sad. We are consulting with the authorities handling the case. We hope a solution will be found to prevent this from happening again.
He added that authorities were reviewing measures to thwart future vandalism.
A prior incident occurred on July 10, 2014, when the Netherlands War Graves Foundation reported an act of vandalism at the same cemetery. Management had immediately notified police and was working with the authorities to repair the damage. During that first breach, around 150 graves were defaced with red graffiti, according to Reiding at the time.
The Ereveld memorial complex remains a site of remembrance for Soviet soldiers who fought in World War II. Both police and cemetery officials continue to investigate the cause of the repeated defacement and are planning additional protective measures for the graves and memorials.
