Amsterdam police have revealed they possess a list of 45 suspects connected to the most severe violent incidents against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans following the squad's Europa League match against Ajax less than two weeks ago. These individuals are implicated in confrontations with Maccabi supporters and riots that erupted in Dam Square four days later.
Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam
(Video: Maccabi Tel Aviv fans)
According to the Amsterdam police spokesperson, all 45 suspects are linked to "the most extreme acts of violence" that occurred post-match. To date, nine have been apprehended. Some were identified and arrested by the police, while two voluntarily surrendered after blurry images of them were circulated in the media.
The spokesperson explained that the police will continue to release images of suspects in hopes of identifying and apprehending them. Additionally, more may be added to the suspect list as the investigation progresses. "The police are examining all acts of violence that took place before, during and after the match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam," the Amsterdam police spokesperson said in a statement.
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Dutch police the morning after the riots against Israeli fans
(Photo: Robin Utrecht / ANP / AFP)
Dutch media reported that, after the game, police escorted Israelis to the city center. Most were transported to hotels by bus, but those who remained in the city became targets for the attackers after midnight.
"According to current information, these were 'kids on scooters' who relayed information between one another via Telegram groups. They quickly vanished when police arrived," De Telegraaf reported. Furthermore, the newspaper suggested that, besides the teenagers, taxi drivers were likely involved in the assaults, and not pro-Palestinian activists who have been protesting in Amsterdam for months.
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