NOS hostage taker in court on Tuesday

Tarik Z., who allegedly used a fake gun to take a security guard as a hostage at the NOS studios in January, will appear in front of court on Tuesday, the Public Prosecutor announced. The now 20-year old man is suspected of kidnapping, threats and illegal possession of a weapon for the incident at the Hilversum Media Park. The public session is scheduled for May 12th at noon at the District Court in Lelystad. It is expected that the matter will be dealt in substance on June 19th at 9.00 a.m. in Lelystad. A personality test and the continuation of the remand will be discussed during the session, the prosecutor said. Tarik Z. allegedly threatened NOS personnel to gain access to the building, and into the NOS news studios on January 29th. He demanded air time during the evening news, but the channel was taken off the air once he was inside the building. A security guard was hailed as a hero for staying with Z. the entire time he was in the studio, keeping him talking, and getting police into the studio. Police were also commended for the firm, but peaceful arrest. There were no injuries reported from the incident or the arrest.