The Public Prosecution Service demands a prison sentence of 6 months, of which two months are conditional, against a suspect from Katwijk in South Holland for shooting heavy fireworks at an enforcement vehicle during the New Years Eve from 2023 to 2024. Two people were in the car. “Fortunately, no one was injured, but this could have ended very differently.”
Videos made by bystanders and later appearing online show what happens that day: the vehicle is shot at with a so-called cake box, from which heavy fireworks usually come. A person, and according to the Public Prosecution Service there is sufficient evidence that it is the suspect, holds the box and aims at the car where the enforcers are sitting. That vehicle takes the full blast, with mortars exploding on, around, and under the car. “The occupants were scared to death. A senseless, absurd act, which fortunately did not lead to serious injury. But it could have,” said the Public Prosecution Service.
Videos show and hear how the suspect (who is also named) is encouraged by bystanders, which seems to motivate him to aim even better. His name comes up more than once in reports to the police after New Years, the physical characteristics of the suspect match the person in the videos and communication on phones indicates his involvement.
The Public Prosecution Service takes this very seriously against the suspect - at that time he is a serving soldier: “That the suspect did this as a soldier makes it all the more incomprehensible and more serious. This is a soldier completely unworthy.”
The public prosecutor also touched on the discussion about New Years Eve itself during the session: “Every year there are countless incidents where emergency workers are bombarded with heavy fireworks. Ambulance workers, fire brigade personnel, police, but also enforcement staff. Emergency workers and staff who are just doing their jobs, but are burdened with intense or frightening experiences and the consequences thereof due to idiotic behavior.”
The public prosecutor continued in the justification of the penalty demand: “It is precisely because of such individuals that people who mean well with fireworks, who do it properly according to the rules and do not find it necessary to use fireworks against emergency workers or other officials, may no longer be able to set off fireworks during New Years Eve.”
Because the case is brought before the military chamber, the session today took place in Arnhem.