Malieveld rioters sentenced; MPs clash in Parliament over Saturday’s violence

The criminal court has handed down prison and community service sentences to individuals involved in last Saturday’s violent clashes at the anti-immigration protest on the Malieveld in The Hague. Maurits R., 20, received the longest sentence: six weeks in prison, three suspended, and a 1,000-euro fine to the Victims of Violence Fund after admitting to throwing stones and branches at police officers.

The protest, which called for stricter asylum policies, escalated violently on Saturday. Over a thousand participants took to the nearby A12 highway, throwing glass and stones, attacking police officers and journalists, and setting fire to police vehicles. The unrest later spread to the Binnenhof and the D66 party headquarters, where further damage was inflicted.

A 49-year-old man from Amsterdam and a 36-year-old man from Rotterdam each received two-week suspended prison terms and 60 hours of community service. Both were also ordered to pay 1,000 euros to the Victims of Violence Fund. A 35-year-old man from Hoogeveen was acquitted. Other sentences included suspended prison terms and community service orders ranging from 60 to 80 hours.

Several defendants denied wrongdoing. Peter van D., for example, claimed the wind caused his flag to strike police vehicles, despite officer testimony that he struck them multiple times. Prosecutors had sought longer sentences, but the court decided on lighter penalties in several cases.

Maurits R. expressed remorse in court, saying, “I came with the best intentions to exercise my democratic right to protest. But in a highly emotional moment, I got carried away by the crowd and did terrible things that I deeply regret. It’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.”

The violent clashes also ignited heated debate in the Dutch parliament. While caretaker Justice Minister Foort van Oosten declined to label the incidents political violence, VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius called the attacks on the D66 party office “extreme-right scum.”

Speaking during the weekly question session in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, Van Oosten said he would not “speculate” on the motives of the rioters, who also harassed journalists and caused damage at the Binnenhof. He left that judgment to the Public Prosecution Service and the courts.

D66 MP Jan Paternotte criticized the government’s reluctance, referencing similar politically charged violence after last autumn’s Maccabi Tel Aviv–Ajax match. Then-Justice and Security Minister David van Weel had described the incidents in a letter as “(antisemitic) acts of violence […] directed at Israeli football supporters,” a day after the violence. “Why is the cabinet now refusing to label this violence?” Paternotte questioned.

PVV leader Geert Wilders called accusations of incitement “sick.” Earlier, D66 leader Rob Jetten had stated that the rioters shouted slogans associated with PVV leader Geert Wilders. BBB leader Caroline van der Plas refused to engage in the debate. Joost Eerdmans of JA21 acknowledged that statements made in parliament can fuel anger, saying, “What you say here can have all sorts of consequences. I try to handle that with some nuance.”

DENK leader Stephan van Baarle accused Van Oosten of turning a blind eye, noting participants had given the Hitler salute and chanted racist and antisemitic slogans.

Parliament agreed to debate the events this week. Van Baarle, who submitted the motion for a debate this week, also requested that the caretaker prime minister, Dick Schoof, be present for the debate.

However, the right-wing parties largely disagree, arguing that it is enough for Ministers Foort van Oosten (Justice and Security, VVD) and Frank Rijkaart (Interior, BBB) to attend. In any case, the cabinet determines which ministers participate in plenary debates.