Police involvement in man’s death investigated where suspect was beaten

The Rijksrecherche is investigating the death of a 39-year-old man in Waddinxveen on Friday morning in an incident in which the police were involved, the Public Prosecutor announced. What happened, is not clear.

According to Omroep West, the man died on Oude Dreef. Footage in the broadcaster's possession show a man being forcibly held down and beaten by police officers on Oude Dreef. The Public Prosecutor could not tell the broadcaster whether this is the man who died. Translated from Dutch, a police officer can be heard shouting "cooperate damn it" at the man several times, while someone in the background shouts to release the man.

Waddinxveen mayor Evert Jan Nieuwenhuis confirmed to AD that a person died during an arrest on Friday morning. A "serious incident" was the cause of the arrest, according to the mayor. "It is standard procedure that the Public Prosecutor launch an investigation in such situations. That was immediately put in motion."

The Rijksrecherche is the department that handles internal investigations at the police.