27.10.2025 15:32
In a debate program held in the Netherlands, JA21 party candidate Kevin Nuijten was mistaken for famous animal rights activist Peter Janssen and was escorted out of the venue by security personnel. Nuijten was held in custody for about 15 minutes for the police to understand that he was not guilty. He stated that he had a good dialogue with the police and found the incident 'funny.'
A candidate in the Netherlands was removed from a live television program after being mistaken for a famous vegan protester. The incident occurred during a debate program in the city of Tilburg.
In footage shared on social media, Kevin Nuijten is seen being escorted out of the hall by security personnel from the audience section. JA21 party candidate Nuijten had to leave the venue after authorities mistakenly believed he was the famous animal rights activist Peter Janssen due to misinformation.
Peter Janssen had previously attracted attention just a few days before the debate by entering a talk show wearing only underwear. This protest had garnered significant media attention during the live broadcast.
After being removed from the hall, Nuijten was handed over to the police. A statement from the JA21 party said:
"During the Southern debate, our candidate Kevin Nuijten (#19) was removed from the hall by the police because he resembled a vegan protester. Fortunately, the situation was resolved quickly. Thanks to the security team for their vigilance. Vote for #19 JA21 for a safer Netherlands!"
Nuijten was held in custody for about 15 minutes for the police to understand that he was not guilty. In a statement through a party spokesperson, he said,
"I explained that I am a member of the Brabant Provincial Council and that they could check my name on Google."
Nuijten stated that he found the incident "funny" and mentioned that he had a good dialogue with the police.
Renzo Veenstra, the general director of the Omroep Brabant broadcasting organization, described the incident as follows:
"The Royal and Diplomatic Security Service, which received a tip from a national broadcaster, reported that the person resembled the vegan protester 100%. Therefore, he was removed from the hall."
Due to the confusion, Nuijten was offered a beer and a party-branded scarf as an apology.
Peter Janssen is an activist who has been organizing semi-nude and sometimes violent protests for about a decade. He is known for crashing events wearing black underwear and slogans written on his body.
During a protest he carried out last Thursday, Janssen entered Eva Jinek's live talk show and shouted,
"People are always being talked about, but we should also talk about animals."
Janssen had used a fake name to evade security checks. He had previously been imprisoned in 2010 for releasing 2,500 minks from a farm in the Netherlands. He then received an additional 15 months in prison for an arson attack on a slaughterhouse building at a duck farm. At the same time, he was accused of planning to kill Queen Beatrix. Janssen's lawyers stated that the allegations were unfounded and aimed at discrediting the activist.