Palestinian asylum seeker jailed for Amsterdam university vandalism, resisting arrest
A 35-year-old man who was arrested for vandalism and destruction inside a University of Amsterdam building earlier this week was identified as a Palestinian individual, born in Jordan, and who arrived in the Netherlands last year seeking asylum. He has denied the accusations against him, his attorney told NOS on Friday.
He was remanded into custody by a magistrate while the investigation continues. Police alleged the man was among those who stormed the ABC building on the university's Roeterseiland campus on Monday.
While most of the protestors inside and outside the building limited their demonstration to chants and drumming, a few marched into the building with their faces covered and dressed in black. It was this group that was believed to be responsible for a large portion of the devastation.
One of those individuals yanked shelving out of a cupboard and also smashed large video screens. The perpetrator also showed threatening behavior towards journalists and ordered them to leave the university building. "Images that have circulated on social media show the suspect, dressed in black with his face covered, destroying things in the central hall," the police said.
The suspect was not arrested at the university, but was later spotted by officers and arrested on Monday night at Dam Square. Police also accused him of resisting arrest. His attorney denied all charges in an interview with NOS.
The man is scheduled to appear in court on May 29. The Public Prosecution Service said seven other University of Amsterdam protestors will appear in the court next Thursday.
