Lawyer defends Dutch jihadists from gov't "bullying"

The stiff measures the Dutch Government is taking against jihadists from here are backfiring, a lawyer for the jihadists has warned.

Attorney Michiel Pestman told NOS News that the measures come across like “bullying Muslims” and will only make people angry at the Dutch Government.

“Placing their children in probation and withholding subsidies are far reaching measures that feed the irritation in this group and their families,” he said. Pestman, who is the lawyer for several people who went to Syria, is known for defending the rights of people to take part in jihad.

He said Government did not think long and hard enough about the possible reactions to the measures and in turn many people do not even understand why Government is taking them. He hinted that there is a lot of unrest among the Muslim community but that this so far was aimed toward what is happening in Syria. He said that for now there is no danger for disruptions of the public order in the Netherlands.

Dick Schoof the National Terrorism and Security Coordinator has been quick in trying to discharge Pestman’s statements. Schoof said in the measures it takes, Government is looking for the balance between prevention and repression, and trying to prevent people from turning against the Netherlands.