Prosecutors seek six years for man who disfigured woman’s face with acid
A 21-year-old man accused of throwing sulfuric acid in the face of a woman he had never met should be sentenced to six years in prison, prosecutors said Friday during a court hearing in Rotterdam, RTL reports. The victim was left with serious chemical burns and has been permanently disfigured. She has already undergone multiple surgeries, with more to come.
The attack took place in May 2023 on the Zaailand, a street in the Feijenoord district of Rotterdam. According to the Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie), the attack appeared to be a contract job. The main suspect, identified as Amory C.J., is accused of carrying out the assault for 450 euros at the request of an unknown third party. Prosecutors stressed that no link exists between the attackers and the victim.
"The fact that you would accept such an assignment is unbelievable," said the public prosecutor in court. "The ease with which this was done is incomprehensible. And likely for just a few lousy cents."
A second suspect, José S.B., age 20, is accused of acting as an accomplice. Prosecutors have requested a four-year sentence for him, with six months suspended.
S.B. allegedly tailed the woman prior to the attack and informed C.J. of her location by phone. C.J. then reportedly approached her and sprayed her in the face with sulfuric acid, a highly corrosive chemical.
The motive behind the crime remains unclear. The court pressed both defendants to shed light on the background of the assault, but neither cooperated. The woman’s victim statement made clear the emotional toll the attack has taken. According to RTL she remains deeply afraid and no longer dares to go outside alone.
C.J. denies all involvement. However, S.B. has named him as the person who carried out the attack. Both men were arrested in September 2023. S.B. was released under strict conditions after more than four months in custody. C.J. remains in pretrial detention.
