Groningen property owner demolishes building annex during squatting dispute

A conflict erupted at a commercial building on Stavangerweg in Groningen on Saturday after the property owner used an excavator to demolish part of an annex while squatters were still inside.

The building had reportedly been occupied since Friday. According to reports, the owner and several others returned to the site after occupants initially refused a request to leave earlier that day. Police arrived in large numbers to manage the situation and prevent escalation, with the Mobile Unit (ME) standing by as a precaution, though they were not ultimately deployed.

Police spokesperson Sven Nijenhuis stated that officers engaged in dialogue with both parties, which resulted in the squatters voluntarily vacating the premises. No injuries were reported during the demolition. While squatting is illegal in the Netherlands, the exact duration of the occupation remains disputed due to conflicting statements from the involved parties. The owner left the site with the excavator around 20:30.