New Delhi: After the brutal attacks on Israeli football fans last month following the UEFA Europa league game between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, five of the seven suspects are headed to trial to face the consequences of their actions. The suspects, aged between 19 and 32 are facing multiple charges, including one of attempted manslaughter. The remaining two are set to appear in court on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
Dutch prosecutors said that all seven have been charged with public violence and are due to face three-judge bench in Amsterdam. These attacks, described by the Dutch politicians as antisemitic, sparked outrage in Israel and also amongst politicians across the world. However, the attacks weren’t made without a cause as they followed after two days of skirmishes where Maccabi fans were heard chanting anti-Arab songs, burning a Palestinian flag and vandalizing a taxi.
According to the Dutch police, at least 45 people were being investigated in connection with the violence. Out of these, seven are being presented in court with a 19-year-old man from Monnickendam, a town north-east of Amsterdam, set to be the first to appear. He has been accused of committing public violence around Ajax’s stadium, the Johan Cruyff Area, and shouting antisemitic slogans. He was also accused of throwing rocks at the police, sharing information about public violence and illegal possession of fireworks.
A trial opened Wednesday for five suspects facing charges, including attempted manslaughter, following last month’s hit-and-run attacks on Israeli football supporters in Amsterdam.
— CGTN Africa (@cgtnafrica) December 11, 2024
Next to appear in front of the three-judge panel will be a 22-year-old man from Son en Breugel, near Eindhoven, who faces the charge of attempted manslaughter, the most serious of the charges listed. This is in connection to the assaults that took place near Amsterdam’s Dam Square following the violence post the game. These seven suspects will be presented in court this week with more expected in the coming weeks.
At least six other suspects face charges in connection with the violence that took place last month and it’s aftermath. However, with three of these six suspects being minors, their cases will be heard behind closed doors. “Charges have also been laid against Maccabi fans, who displayed provocative behaviour before the game,” the Dutch Public Prosecution Service said in a statement.
Attacks post the Ajax vs Maccabi Tel Aviv game
The truth about Amsterdam attack, confirmed by Police. pic.twitter.com/Tmd9aM91UQ
— War Intel (@warintel4u) November 9, 2024
Supporters of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv were assaulted in the early hours of November 8, 2024 after the conclusion of the UEFA Europa league game between the two clubs, in parts of the city after calls on social media to attack them. As reported by Al Jazeera, escalating tensions over the days leading up to the game led to clashes in Amsterdam. The situation intensified when Maccabi Tel Aviv fans held a vocal rally in the city’s main square, prominently displaying Israeli flags.
The conflict escalated further after some Israeli supporters reportedly tore down a Palestinian flag from a building, prompting pro-Palestinian demonstrators to mobilize and attempt to approach the stadium, resulting in confrontations. Amsterdam council member Jazie Veldhuyzen claimed that Maccabi fans fueled the unrest by “attacking houses displaying Palestinian flags,” which led local residents to respond in defense of their properties. Meanwhile, Mayor Halsema’s ban on pro-Palestinian demonstrations, aimed at preventing such incidents, failed to curb the violence, with altercations breaking out near the stadium and in the city center.
Violence broke out last month after a UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv and five men, aged between 19-32 are on trial for multiple charges including that of attempted manslaughter. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
