More far-right rioters found guilty of attacking police; No jail time

A summary court judge in The Hague handed down up to 60 hours of community service and conditionally suspended prison sentences to those accused of violence against police officers during the riots that followed an asylum policy protest on Saturday, September 20. Two of the five suspects who appeared before the judge on Wednesday, a 24-year-old man from Warmond and a 30-year-old man from Zoetermeer, were acquitted.

Willem F., 30, from Wormerveer, received a 60-hour community service sentence and a two-week suspended prison term for throwing stones at police officers on the Malieveld and verbally abusing officers at the Plein.

The prosecution sought a six-week prison sentence, with three weeks suspended, for 18-year-old Kevin L. from Sneek for throwing a stone at a police car. L. denied the charge, and his lawyer argued for acquittal.

However, the summary court judge sentenced him to 60 hours of community service and a two-week conditionally suspended prison term. “A firm penalty is warranted,” the judge said, noting that L. had also made an obscene gesture toward the officers. The men from Wormerveer and Sneek must pay 1,500 euros to the Victim Compensation Fund for Violent Crimes, as compensation for damage caused during the riots.

The final suspect, Kevin B. (24) from Alkmaar, was sentenced to 60 hours of community service for kicking a fat bike at the Central Station. He was acquitted of throwing stones.

This was the second hearing. Last week, during a summary trial, the court handed down both community service and prison sentences.

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) stated that the investigation into “other violent offenders and instigators” from the riots in The Hague is ongoing. Over a thousand hours of video footage have already been collected, which specialists will review to determine what violence occurred, who was involved, and whether suspects can be identified. This is a lengthy process,” the statement said. The prosecution expects to make additional arrests “in due course.”

Staatsbosbeheer reported 4,500 euros in repair costs for damage to the Malieveld in The Hague caused by the riots. The Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning previously estimated that damage to the Binnenhof totaled 55,000 euros. Damage to the D66 party office in central The Hague was estimated at 34,000 euros.