New plan to tackle motorcycle gangs: Justice minister

The minister of Security and Justice, Ivo Opstelten (VVD) wants to tackle motorcycle clubs within the current law, if there is sufficient grounds for this to be possible. Outrightly banning biker clubs is not possible, as club formation is not against the law, but the minister does say that there is enough room within legislation to tackle motorcycle clubs in the Netherlands. He said this after discussions with the police, the Public Prosecution Authority (OM), the national strategic discussion outlawbikers and several mayors, Elsevier reports. "As government we cannot and do not want to tolerate this", Opstelten says. "The aim is to tacke these gangs and the law gives us that ability." During the discussion, mayors were promised that clubs like Hells Angels and Satudarah will be dealt with. In case of a punishable act, the OM will first look at individuals to see if they can be prosecuted, Novum reports. Then, it will be explored whether or not a club chapter can be determined a criminal organization. Civil justice makes it possible to ban associations if there is any evidence of disturbing the peace. Mayor Onno Hoes (VVD) of Maastricht is happy about these measures, the NOS reports. "These are not nice people, it is about organized criminality. You must not romanticize this."