‘s-Gravendeel – The police arrested eight men early this morning for involvement in the disturbances during the turn of the year. These are people who are part of the hard core of Feyenoord. The men are suspected of public violence, attempted aggravated assault and attempted manslaughter.
Last year, a group of about 30 people trapped police officers, pelted them with heavy fireworks and threatened them. During the events, agents felt very unsafe and threatened. Violence against aid workers – in any form – is always unacceptable. That is why the criminal investigation department, in collaboration with the Public Prosecution Service, started an investigation to find out who was responsible for these actions.
Arrests were also made immediately after the incident and at the beginning of March, of which one suspect is still in pre-trial detention. The investigation into the disturbances during New Year’s Eve did not end there. Eight arrests could be made this morning on the basis of extensive investigation. The men arrested today are a 29-year-old man from ‘s-Gravenzande, a 30-year-old man from Spijkenisse, a 19-year-old man from Barendrecht, a 27-year-old man from Rijswijk, a 27-year-old man from ‘s -Gravendeel, a 26-year-old man from Leidschendam, a 31-year-old man from Dordrecht and a 23-year-old man from Rotterdam. They are part of a group that calls itself ‘Rotterdam Radicals’. The men were arrested early this morning on suspicion of public violence, attempted aggravated assault and attempted manslaughter. An object resembling a firearm was found at home with one of the men. The men will soon be brought before the examining magistrate.
Research into applied violence by police officers
Immediately after the events, we called on people to report to us if they were injured in the riot squad, while they indicated that they had nothing to do with the disturbances. Four people responded to this. The team leader of basic team Hoeksche Waard has spoken with these people. One complaint has been made against a police officer. The investigation into this report is still ongoing.
Parallel to this, an investigation is underway to test the violence used by police officers last New Year’s Eve. If an officer has used violence, he or she must always justify this, so that this can be tested for proportionality, subsidiarity and professionalism. This is done by the independent Use of Violence Committee. This research is also still active.
Information source: Politie.nl
