Soviet War Cemetery in Leusden to reopen after vandalism

The Soviet War Cemetery in Leusden will reopen to visitors at noon on Friday, after being temporarily closed when it was vandalised with red and black paint, Dutch news agency ANP reports.

Red paint was used to deface 150 graves at the cemetery in July. The latest vandalism, on Saturday, targeted an obelisk and memorial wall with slogans including “Fuck Refugees” and “Not against Russians but against commies”. Cleaning began early on Sunday. Cemetery director Remco Reiding said at the time that the black paint was difficult to remove and some damage might be permanent.

The cemetery, between Leusden and Amersfoort, holds the graves of 865 Soviet Union casualties of the Second World War. On Wednesday evening, Amersfoort’s council decided that the site’s security should be reviewed. The municipal executive said several security cameras were out of action during the vandalism because of a lightning strike.