Rotterdam biker accused of groping 13 women should be jailed: Prosecutors

The Public Prosecution Service has recommended a 2.5-year prison sentence for 32-year-old Nabil I. at the Rotterdam court. He is accused of groping 13 women in 2024 and 2025, with most victims approached in Rotterdam by a man on a bicycle who suddenly touched or pinched them, frequently in intimate areas.

Police released images of the suspect in January last year, multiple victims came forward, reporting similar methods of assault and providing matching descriptions of the man. During the hearing, the prosecutor characterized I.’s behavior as that of a “predator,” targeting women at random for sudden attacks.

The suspect typically rode a bicycle and approached women from behind, attacking them suddenly. Some victims were knocked off their bicycles and thrown to the ground, experiencing groping and pinching in intimate areas. “It was disgusting,” one woman recalled.

Most of the assaults occurred in central Rotterdam and Rotterdam-Noord, with the suspect being especially active in these areas between late December 2024 and early January 2025. An investigation into I.’s phone revealed it had connected to cell towers in the areas where the offenses took place.

In April last year, the suspect was detained in Barcelona following an international arrest warrant. I. has not made any statements and has exercised his right to remain silent during court proceedings.

The victims in the case described the profound and lasting effect the incidents have had on their daily lives and well-being. “I no longer feel safe on the streets,” one of the victims told the Rotterdam court on Friday. “I have developed immense fear.”

She was the only victim to speak for herself in court; the others had their statements read by their lawyers. Several victims are receiving intensive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including EMDR therapy. Some called the assaults a “nightmare” and described them as among the most traumatic events of their lives.

Psychological and psychiatric evaluations found no mental disorders in Nabil I., meaning the Public Prosecution Service considers him fully accountable for his actions.

While I. was first sought in connection with a few incidents, the indictment was ultimately extended to 13 official complaints. The Public Prosecution Service sees sufficient and compelling evidence in all 13 cases, in part thanks to cell tower data from his phone.

Last winter, the string of assaults heightened feelings of insecurity in Rotterdam, as women warned one another through social media and neighborhood apps about the “man on the bike” targeting them.