Suspect in fatal Tarwekamp explosion denies mastermind role, promised €1,500 for attack

The 33-year-old Rotterdam man accused of organizing a deadly arson attack on a bridal shop in The Hague denies being the mastermind, his lawyer Gerard Spong said. The explosion on Dec. 7 in the Tarwekamp neighborhood killed six people, injured several others, and caused extensive damage.

Prosecutors allege Moshtag B. orchestrated the attack out of revenge against his ex-girlfriend, offering 1,500 euros to three accomplices to set the shop ablaze. The accused accomplices include two cousins from Roosendaal, Mourad (29) and Ilyas (23), and a 33-year-old man from Oosterhout, Adil A.

B.'s lawyer contested the prosecution’s claim, rejecting the characterization of B. as the “intellectual author” of the crime. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Lawyer Dirk Stoof, who represents Adil, said his client distanced himself from the plan early on, calling it “poorly conceived and dangerous.” Stoof claimed Adil stayed at a café on Dec. 1, when Mourad and Ilyas were arrested in Oosterhout while preparing for the attack.

According to De Telegraaf, Mourad and Ilyas continued with the plan despite Adil’s withdrawal. They allegedly entered the bridal shop on Dec. 7 with keys, doused it in gasoline, and used cobra firecrackers to start a fire, resulting in the explosion.

Spong said B. had suggested less destructive alternatives, such as vandalism or stealing bridal dresses, to target his ex-girlfriend’s shop. “The plan to set the shop on fire didn’t originate with my client,” Spong said.

While B. was not present on Dec. 1 or Dec. 7, he was reportedly in London at the time, possibly to establish an alibi. After the explosion, he traveled to Dubai but returned to the Netherlands shortly afterward, where he was arrested.

Mourad’s lawyer, Marco Bos, said his client has invoked his right to remain silent but expressed remorse for the victims and their families.

The OM disclosed that investigators are looking into whether a structural fault in the building contributed to the scale of the destruction. Spong and Stoof both emphasized that this aspect will be critical to understanding the case.

Adil’s lawyer argued that his client’s role was minimal and that he should not remain in custody. “He withdrew from the plan before it was executed,” Stoof said. “The only thing he can be accused of is preparatory actions.”

The four suspects are scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on March 14 at the court in The Hague. So far, 37 victims and affected parties, including residents and businesses, have filed complaints related to the incident.

The OM maintains that the group acted with intent and that the attack was thoroughly planned, with reconnaissance trips and a rehearsal carried out beforehand.