Police recover hidden documents of Ukrainian suspect in Amsterdam stabbing case

During work in a hotel room on the Damrak in Amsterdam last month, the passport, identity card, and credit card of Roman D. (30) from Ukraine, better known as the “Damsteker,” were found. He is suspected of stabbing five people near the Dam in Amsterdam on March 27 of last year.

The documents, including Roman D.’s ID and passport, were found tucked away in a wardrobe alongside the hotel bill. The public prosecutor revealed this on Tuesday during the fourth preliminary hearing at the District Court of Amsterdam, which the suspect once again failed to attend.

Commenting on the December discovery, the prosecutor said: “The items were the suspect’s original identity documents, long sought by the police, but they had been hidden in the hotel room where he stayed in March of last year.”

The suspect has declined to comment on his motive during police questioning. He was questioned again on January 12 and again refused to give a statement. The interrogation was prompted because D. reportedly said something relevant about his motive during a session with a psychiatrist, but he would not elaborate when questioned by police.

Authorities plan to question two of D.’s former colleagues in Ukraine, both military personnel who knew him well before his transfer. They will be interviewed as witnesses about his possible motive. The prosecution has also obtained the suspect’s military personnel file.

“The probe into the motive continues. From our perspective, all possibilities remain on the table, from influence by an unknown party to a personal psychosocial motive,” the prosecutor said.

Experts from the Netherlands Institute for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology (NIFP) are currently evaluating the Ukrainian suspect. Should D. refuse to cooperate, the prosecution plans to request that the examining judge place him under observation at the Pieter Baan Centre.

The suspect faces trial for five counts of attempted murder or manslaughter with a terrorist intent. “It seems the aim was to instill fear. Until another clear motive comes to light, the prosecution will continue to treat it as such,” the prosecutor stated.

The victims of D. were tourists from various countries, including Poland, the United States, Australia, Belgium, and the Netherlands.