Vught prison hostage situation unfolds: Suspect convicted in Ede cafe hostage incident

A hostage situation Friday evening at the psychiatric wing of the prison in Vught prison was allegedly led by Corné H., the man who was convicted a year ago of taking several workers captive at an Ede café, the Telegraaf reported based on tips from anonymous sources. At least two prison employees were held against their will, the Ministry of Justice and Security told ANP. The situation came to an end without injury just before 6:30 p.m., more than two hours after it began.

"The hostage situation has ended. All staff have been brought to safety, and the detainee is under control," the Custodial Institutions Agency (DJI) said in an update. The two employees who were held captive will be provided with support services. Early, Omroep Brabant reported that a negotiator was trying to resolve the situation peacefully, citing witnesses and bystanders who claimed the incident was an attempt to break out of the prison.

The DJI notified "the families of those involved" within an hour of the situation unfolding. However, the organiation did not comment on the identity of the suspect involved, nor on rumors of an escape attempt.

H. confessed to taking four workers hostage at the Café Petticoat in Ede during an ordeal that lasted over seven hours, beginning at about 5 a.m. The 28-year-old was carrying two knives when he entered the facility, and he had a backpack which he claimed was stuffed with enough explosives to "blow up the entire street," the District Court for Gelderland said when convicting him last December 24.

Three of the victims were eventually released at about 11:30 a.m., and the fourth victim, a co-owner, was released an hour later. H. gave himself up to police soon after. His defense attorney said H. perpetrated the attack out of sheer desperation to convince authorities he needed the adequate psychiatric help that he had sought, but which was never provided. He had been previously convicted in December 2023 for threatening two police officers with a firearm.

H. was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and a cognitive disorder. He also has a history of self-harm, having uncontrollable anger and rising emotions, which then lead to overreactions and impulse behavior, the court said in its verdict last year. “In addition, antisocial, borderline and narcissistic traits are recognized within the personality. Both the autism spectrum disorder and the personality problems are characterized by a lasting nature and were present at the time of the charge,” the court said, citing a report from a psychiatric expert.

He was sentenced to nine months in prison, and mandatory treatment in a TBS psychiatric facility. The court, fearing a risk of recidivism, said the TBS measure could be extended indefinitely.

In any case, the hostage situation in Vught brought heavy numbers of police officers, including specialized tactical teams who were made available to help the DJI resolve the incident as swiftly as possible.

Police were at the scene in heavy numbers, including specialized tactical teams. They were trying to resolve the incident as swiftly as possible, ANP reported based on comments from a DJI spokesperson. Several police officers were positioned outside of the prison, but they were "not searching the area or patrolling.” The situation took place not in the ultra-secure EBI section of the complex, but in the main facility. Some 700 prisoners are incarcerated at the Vught prison, including alleged organized crime figure Ridouan Taghi and several others convicted of terrorist offenses.

"The hostage situation in the Vught prison has fortunately ended safely, "said Caretaker State Secretary for Justice and Security Arno Rutte regarding the incident on Friday. Earlier, he noted that it was "shocking" to hear that a "hostage situation is underway." He thanked those who responded to the scene for their assistance, and offered support to those involved.

A spokesperson for the municipality stated earlier that there was no need for emergency orders or additional measures in the area surrounding the Vught prison. “The situation is taking place within the prison walls, and we have no reason to take additional measures,” the spokesperson said as the hostage situation was ongoing.