Victim lawyers warn of risks after prosecutors disconnect internet over cyber threat

A Dutch national network of lawyers for victims of violent and sexual offenses is warning that the Public Prosecution Service’s ongoing IT shutdown is putting victims at serious risk.

The National Network of Lawyers for Victims of Violent and Sexual Offenses (Landelijk Advocatennetwerk Gewelds- en Zedenslachtoffers, or LANGZS) said Saturday that communication between attorneys and prosecutors has been severely disrupted since the Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie, or OM) disconnected its systems from the internet earlier this week due to a suspected cyberattack. All communication now must take place by telephone.

The network said victims face “acute risks,” particularly in urgent cases involving contact bans or restraining orders. Lawyers can no longer access critical information quickly, and delays are reportedly piling up.

According to LANGZS, phone calls to prosecutors often go unanswered. “Prosecutors frequently call anonymously, do not leave a number, and are difficult to reach,” the group said. Lawyers are also reporting that key legal documents, including charges and witness statements, are arriving “not at all, too late, or incomplete.”

LANGZS called on the OM to immediately adopt a secure alternative, such as Signal, to allow encrypted digital communication until systems are restored. “Something needs to happen now to prevent more serious consequences,” the organization said.

The OM confirmed it is in contact with LANGZS. “We understand the concerns of victims and their lawyers, and we are working hard to keep them as informed as possible about developments in their cases,” the OM said in a written statement. “Victim coordinators are doing their best to maintain communication by phone.”

The Dutch Bar Association (Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten, or NOvA) also raised concerns and urged attorneys to report how the outage is affecting their legal work. It has not yet been announced when the OM’s digital systems will be restored.