The trial of the attackers of Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans last month fans continued on Thursday, with three of the defendants testifying about the extremely violent events that occurred at the end of the UEFA Europa League game against Ajax, on the night of November 7 in Amsterdam.
Five other defendants were heard on Wednesday evening; None of the suspects are accused of committing an act of terrorism. The charges against the defendants are attacks based on antisemitism, including against A., a Palestinian refugee who immigrated to the Netherlands a year ago, who is accused of attempted murder.
1 View gallery
Violence against Jews and Israelis in Amsterdam following a Euroleague basketball game against Maccabi Tel Aviv
(Photo: X/iAnnet/via Reuters)
In addition to A's testimony, which continued from Wednesday, Thursday's hearing focused on two other defendants: S., 24, who is suspected of aiding and abetting violence by "distributing information and videos via social media." The prosecution in the Netherlands demanded that he be sentenced to one month in prison, two weeks of which will be suspended.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
The second defendant is E., 32, from The Hague, who is accused of violent attacks in and around Dam Square and faces six months in prison, two of which will be suspended. E. is accused of, among other things, distributing information about Maccabi Tel Aviv fans on various apps and calling them "f**king Jews," and writing "We'll tear them apart."
Due to the charged atmosphere surrounding the affair, the public prosecution sought to open the trial as quickly as possible, with dozens of journalists, including from foreign media, in the courtroom. Due to the rush, there are suspects who have not yet been located and have not been indicted, one of whom is a 19-year-old suspected of shooting fireworks and throwing stones at police officers near the Amsterdam Arena. The verdicts are expected to be handed down on December 24.