Intimidating and Dangerous Arson in Neer and Haelen: Public Prosecution Service Demands Up to Seven Years Imprisonment for Four Suspects

News report | 17-12-2025 | 16:18

The arsons took place at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023. The same family was repeatedly the victim. Among other things, the gate of the Haelen castle Aldenghoor and several cars at the victims home were set on fire.

Investigation

After extensive police investigation, a total of seven people were identified as suspects, including the four suspects who stood trial today. The cases of the other three suspects have already been dealt with. One of the suspects was acquitted. The OM has filed an appeal against this. Another was convicted for the arson on March 29, 2023. The case against the seventh suspect was dropped by the OM due to lack of evidence. The investigation also revealed that all these arsons are connected, involving a premeditated plan. Furthermore, it appeared that two suspects (44,31) were involved in all incidents. The other suspects were linked to specific arsons.

Clear Victim

Five incidents within three months are undeniably connected. These acts took place against a specific background with a clear victim each time. These arsons were not about the objects set on fire, but the effect on the victims. All were arsons where the perpetrators drove by car at night from Brabant to the crime scene and used an accelerant. After the arson, they drove back towards Brabant.

Impact

The public prosecutor at the hearing: “These events have had a huge impact on the victims. It was also clear to them that these arsons were explicitly intended as a signal, a warning, and intimidation. Each time an attack. Arson is by nature unpredictable and an uncontrolled fire, as was the case here, brings great danger. Besides the impact on the victims, this also greatly affected their family, friends, business, and certainly the community. Neer is a small village and this period also affected the community.”

Money as Motive

“The suspects had no connection with the victims and probably only had a financial motive,” the prosecutor explained. “The file does not show that they ever cared about the consequences for the victims, their family, friends, and surroundings.”

Sentencing Demands

For the two suspects involved in all incidents, the OM demanded seven years imprisonment. For the 34-year-old man, the OM demanded 42 months imprisonment, and for the 56-year-old man, 12 months in prison.

The court will deliver its verdict on February 4.