Terrorism suspect's "jihadist ideology" a possible motive in Utrecht cemetery vandalism

Testimony from an expert in the Arabic language and culture indicated that the manner in which almost a hundred graves were vandalized at an Utrecht cemetery in May fits in with the "jihadist ideology." Prosecutors presented more information about their case against 21-year-old Mohamed B. on Monday. The Vleuten resident is also accused separately of participating in a terrorist organization, and preparing to carry out impactful criminal acts, such as bombings.

On Monday, B. appeared at the District Court in Utrecht for the first public hearing regarding his case. In addition to the grave desecration, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) suspects B. of participating in a terrorist organization and preparing serious crimes, such as causing explosions. B. is alleged to have come close to traveling to Somalia last year to join the terrorist group, Islamic State (IS), but he was stopped by his father.

He claims he then participated in a deradicalization program, and has expressed regret for his past beliefs. B. claimed he wanted to travel to Somalia to track down IS recruiters and unmask them.

The Public Prosecution Service said it does not believe B.'s version of events, and prosecutors think B. wanted to give a different impression to the outside world. B. is said to have maintained contacts with those sharing his jihadist perspective, and he is alleged to have transferred money to organizations that adhere to that ideology.

He "scribbled" jihadist texts on the walls of his holding cell, where he is being kept in pre-trial detention, the prosecutor alleged on Monday. A co-defendant in the case has given a statement indicating that B.'s terrorist ambitions have not diminished at all.

Towards the end of that hearing, he apologized for the vandalism at the cemetery. B. was arrested shortly after the grave desecration and has been in custody ever since. He is said to have filmed the destruction of several graves. His lawyer asked the court to release B. in advance of his trial, subject to probationary conditions, so that he can continue with the treatment process. "There is sufficient guidance and control built in," said the lawyer. She denied that the destruction of the graves was related to any terrorist ideology.

The prosecutor opposed the suspension of pre-trial detention, arguing the risk of recurrence is great. By destroying the graves, B. went from just talking about violence to actually committing it, he argued.

The court agreed, saying that B. is suspected of crimes which are too serious. The court said it would not be reasonable to put an end to B.'s pre-trial detention based on the current status of the investigation, nor would it be possible to rationally explain such a decision to the public.

B. will therefore remain in custody at least until the next interim hearing, which is scheduled for November 18.