On August 21, 2024, a stabbing incident occurs at Potmargepaad in Leeuwarden. It is a serious and shocking fact. During a walk through Leeuwarden, the victim is attacked and stabbed by the suspect out of nowhere and without provocation. The prosecutor demands a prison sentence of three years plus TBS with conditions for attempted manslaughter.
The victim states that the suspect approached him and his girlfriend, and shortly thereafter, he feels a push in his back. He falls to the ground, and the suspect suddenly stabs him. The victim tries to resist, and in the struggle, he pulls the key cord with the key from the neck of his attacker. The suspect then runs after the victims girlfriend but passes her by. The prosecutor states: “This incident must have been extraordinarily frightening for both.”
Based on the given description, CCTV footage, and a citizen alert, the suspect comes into view, and when police arrive at the suspects home, it turns out that the key found fits the house. The suspect is then arrested. In the house, police find a knife, which the suspect admits to using.
The victim has stab wounds in the arm, neck, and chest. In total, he has been stabbed seven times. According to the prosecutor, this constitutes attempted manslaughter. “When you stab or cut in the chest and neck area, you consciously accept the chance that you might kill someone,” says the prosecutor. The suspect states during his interrogation that he wanted to stab someone solely to draw attention to his problems.
The prosecutor hears during the victims conversation what this has done to the victim. The incident has affected his studies, his work, his physical and mental condition. His hobbies, such as playing guitar and badminton, are also difficult to pursue due to limitations on his hand.
His girlfriend witnessed all of this. She feared for his and her own life. All of this has also had a huge impact on her mental state.
This is also a shocking fact for society. As a visitor or resident of Leeuwarden, you should be able to feel safe when taking a walk through the city. “An incident like this undermines the sense of safety in society as a whole and in Leeuwarden in particular.”
The suspect is also suspected of multiple vandalism incidents that occurred earlier in the Leeuwarden neighborhood. On August 7 and 8, 2024, he is said to have vandalized four vehicles parked near Ypeijstraat and smashed a window of a house.
In formulating the demand, the prosecutor considers the personal circumstances of the suspect, the seriousness of the offense, and the impact this has on society and the victims. She demands a prison sentence of three years plus TBS with conditions. Additionally, behavior-influencing and freedom-restricting measures. The prosecutor believes that the claims of the injured parties can be granted. For the victim of the stabbing incident, this amounts to about 50,000 euros.