Amsterdam police arrest man accused of raping woman in King’s Day viral video
Amsterdam police officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape after he was seen in a graphic video shot in public on King’s Day which was distributed widely on social media. It shows the suspect with his pants around his ankles laying on top of a woman who later told police the sexual contact that took place was not consensual.
The incident happened in-between two cars parked on the Keizersgracht on Saturday afternoon in the city center, which was largely packed with people celebrating the holiday. Though police have not commented on the exact location, frames from the video suggest the location is along the canal near the intersection with the Utrechtsestraat.
“The arrest happened after the woman seen in the video pressed a charge of rape,” police said in an update on Tuesday. Investigators previously indicated that the suspect and victim may have known each other prior to the incident, suggesting it was not believed to be a random crime.
The suspect’s age, city of residence, and citizenship have not been released. Detectives also spoke with several people who claimed they witnessed the event.
“In order to continue the investigation, and especially for the woman’s well-being, the sex crimes unit is hesitant to share any further information,” police wrote on Tuesday.
The suspect will likely be brought before an examining magistrate by the end of the week, at which point he can be ordered to remain in jail for up to 14 more days while the investigation continues. Prosecutors can request an extension of up to three days before this hearing takes place. For authorities to hold the man in custody for a longer duration, he will need to face arraignment at a district court by mid-May.
Further distribution of the video will be considered a criminal offense, police cautioned. As the possession and distribution of the video is “traumatic for the woman” and punishable by law, police asked anyone with a copy to delete the file.
It was not the only graphic video shared extensively on messaging services and online video platform on King’s Day. Other videos depicting people having sex in public and drunk men and women urinating on the streets were also widely distributed without the consent of those seen in the videos and still photographs.
“Making and distributing these kinds of images is not only punishable, but also deeply humiliating and hurtful. No one should be photographed or filmed naked or during sex without explicit permission,” said Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema on Monday.
