The Public Prosecution Service today requested prison sentences of four and nine months and 120 hours of community service with a conditional youth detention against three men from Amsterdam aged 21, 20, and 18. The three are suspected of public violence on the evening of November 11, 2024, when the situation at Plein ’40 – 45 in Amsterdam Nieuw-West escalated, a few days after the disturbances surrounding the Ajax - Maccabi Tel Aviv match.
At Plein ’40 – ’45, which normally serves as a central meeting place for the neighborhood, riots broke out on the evening of November 11. Vandalism, arson, and assaults occurred. A passerby was knocked to the ground, beaten, and kicked. A bus and a tram with passengers were pelted with beams, stones, and heavy fireworks by a group of youths.
Camera Footage
Based on the many camera images, the police were able to identify several of the youths involved in the violence. Today, three of these suspects appeared before the judge. At a later time, at least six others will also have to answer to the judge because they are suspected of involvement in the violence at Plein ’40 –’45 on November 11.
The three men who stood before the judge today are suspected of public violence, which involved violence against persons or property committed together with others.
- Against a 21-year-old man who is suspected of having thrown stones at a bus and having hit a motorcycle officer on his helmet, the prosecutors requested a prison sentence of four months.
- A 20-year-old man faced a request for nine months in prison because he is suspected of having kicked a person lying on the ground, having hit a delivery van with a wooden beam, and having thrown stones and a beam towards a bus and tram. He is also suspected of drug possession.
- Against an 18-year-old suspect who is suspected of having assaulted a passerby, the prosecutors requested 120 hours of community service and a conditional youth detention of one month, in connection with the application of adolescent criminal law.
Impact on Society
The prosecutors emphasized today in their requisitions that the riots at Plein ’40 – ’45 cannot be seen entirely separate from the events surrounding the football match Ajax – Maccabi Tel Aviv on November 8. “The files show that in response to these events, there were active calls on social media for participation in the disturbance at Plein ’40 – ’45. Such disturbances have a significant impact on society. They cause substantial material damage and sometimes injury. Furthermore, such acts, which take place in public, lead to feelings of fear, anger, and insecurity in society.”
Verdict on February 27.