Today, the Public Prosecution Service demanded a six-year prison sentence for a 21-year-old man suspected of throwing sulfuric acid in the face of a 36-year-old woman from Rotterdam. Four years were demanded for a 19-year-old co-defendant, of which six months are conditional, with a probation period of two years.
On May 11, 2023, the life of the 36-year-old victim changed forever. While walking to a friend after work, she is followed by someone. Moments later, as she walks over the Zaailand in the Rotterdam neighborhood of Vreewijk, she feels someone standing close to her. When she turns around, someone sprays a bottle of sulfuric acid in her face. In the hospital, the victim learns that she has suffered second and third-degree burns on her face, head, hands, forearms, and neck. To this day, the victim is under the care of a doctor, confirming that she has suffered serious bodily harm.
Investigation and Premeditation
The police searched for months for the perpetrator who threw the sulfuric acid in the womans face. On September 23, 2023, a breakthrough occurs. The then 18-year-old suspect turns himself in to the police because he saw himself on footage from the RTV Rijnmond investigation program. He states that he followed the victim but denies throwing the acid in her face. The investigation continues, and based on extracted phone data, camera footage, and statements, the Public Prosecution Service is convinced that three men - one of whom is a minor who has since been convicted - were given the task to attack the woman with acid. Investigations reveal that they were approached via Snapchat and subsequently made a plan. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the 21-year-old threw the acid, the 18-year-old followed the victim and relayed the location, and the minor walked along with him. The Prosecutor believes that sufficient time has passed for them to reflect on their decision and consider the consequences of their actions.
Impact
The Public Prosecution Service has done everything possible to identify the mastermind behind the acid attack, but to this day, it has not succeeded and does not know why the victim was attacked with sulfuric acid. “The victim is scarred for life. She has suffered terribly and must cope with the physical and mental consequences of what has been done to her,” said the prosecutor.
“The suspects do not know her and have taken this assignment lightly without considering the consequences it would have for the victim for a few cents. And then, with a process attitude of not being able to remember anything or remaining silent, they try to evade responsibility. I hold the suspects accountable for this.”
Demand
According to the Public Prosecution Service, there is sufficient legal and convincing evidence to establish that the 21-year-old suspect threw the acid. The role of the 19-year-old co-defendant goes beyond complicity; he is considered an accomplice to aggravated assault with premeditation. “Although he did not throw the acid himself, he was aware of the assigned task, knew how the victim was to be followed, and also knew that someone else would throw sulfuric acid in her face afterward,” said the prosecutor in court.
The Public Prosecution Service is aware that the suspects are young, but they are of legal age. Given the seriousness of the facts and what experts advise, the Public Prosecution Service believes that adult criminal law applies here. Only an unconditional prison sentence is appropriate.