Five men to appear in Amsterdam court over attacks on Israeli football fans | Netherlands


The trial opened with five suspects facing charges, including one of attempted murder, following last month’s attacks on Israeli football supporters in Amsterdam.

The men, aged between 19 and 32, appeared before a panel of three judges in the Amsterdam district court. Two more suspects appear on Thursday.

All seven Dutch prosecutors said they were accused of state violence.

Supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv attacked parts of the city in the early hours of November 8 after calls on social media to attack them.

Violence in Israel and among Dutch politicians, who describe them as antisemitic.

The attacks were followed by two days of clashes in which Maccabi fans chanted anti-Arabic songs, vandalized a taxi and burned a Palestinian flag.

Police said they are looking for at least 45 people in connection with the violence.

First before the judges on Wednesday was a 19-year-old man from the town of Monnickendam, north-east of Amsterdam, accused of committing public violence around the Johan Cruyff Arena, amid shouts of anti-Semitic slogans and throwing rocks at the police. It also shares crime information about state power and illegal property fires.

Next Wednesday, a 22-year-old man from Son en Breugel near Eindhoven will appear against the most serious charge of attempted murder, prosecutors said.

The charge against him relates to the attacks around Dam Square in Amsterdam during the violence that followed a game between the home teams of Ajax and Maccabi.

In addition to the seven suspects appearing this week, at least six others are also facing charges related to the violence that night and its aftermath. Three of these suspects are minors and their cases will be heard behind closed doors.

“Charges have also been laid against Maccabi fans who showed provocative behavior before the game,” the Dutch Public Prosecution said in a statement.

The incident and its aftermath left the Dutch capital reeling and polarized attitudes among the various communities.



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