The people who temporarily occupied the tracks at Amsterdam Central Station on October 8, 2025, caused significant disruption and dangerous situations on the tracks, according to the Public Prosecution Service. This action does not fall within the right to demonstrate, the Public Prosecution Service states.
Train traffic to and from Amsterdam Central came to a complete halt for a short time after activists from Extinction Rebellion and pro-Palestinian groups went onto the tracks. Approximately twenty people were eventually arrested. Twelve of them had to appear before the cantonal court.
Danger and disruption
According to the public prosecutor, these individuals were not arrested because they were demonstrating for the situation in Palestine. Everyone has the right to express their opinion and demonstrate, said the prosecutor. That is a fundamental right that applies to everyone, regardless of the protests subject. But the rules must be followed.
The prosecutor emphasized that the action amounted to disturbing public order, causing danger and disruption, and unnecessarily burdening the police. Danger was also created for both the activists and the officers present. According to NS, there was danger due to slippery tracks, risk of electrocution, and damage to railway infrastructure. Because of these risks, the police could not intervene immediately and first had to secure the tracks.
300 euro fine
The public prosecutor asked the judge to send a clear signal, as she believes such dangerous actions do not fall under the right to demonstrate. She demanded a fine of 500 euros per person.
The cantonal court in Amsterdam sentenced the twelve individuals to a fine of 300 euros for causing or potentially causing danger. With this verdict, the court, as understood by the Public Prosecution Service, aims to prevent repetition and emphasize that entering the tracks is not only dangerous but also has major consequences for travelers and public transport.
