On October 5, 2023, AZ Alkmaar played against Legia Warsaw at the AZ stadium in Alkmaar. Leading up to the match, Legia supporters attacked, threatened, and assaulted several police officers from the Mobile Unit. Today, five men aged 27 to 44 appeared in court for this. The Public Prosecution Service of North Holland (OM) found public violence proven and demanded up to 14 months of imprisonment, a ban on entering the municipality of Alkmaar, and awarding the requested compensation to the victims.
Background
Stewards from the AZ football club checked the Legia fans in the holding area prior to the match on October 5, 2023. During the bag checks, they encountered obstruction and threats from the supporters, after which the Mobile Unit (ME) provided assistance to ensure the flow to the away section proceeded orderly. However, a large group of fans turned against the ME officers en masse, cornering them. The ME was attacked, threatened, kicked, and punched, including with bottles and sticks, also to the head. Additionally, several hooligans attempted to take away weapons, shields, gas masks, and helmets from the ME, in some cases successfully.
Fear and apprehension
Only after one of the ME officers threw a tear gas grenade were the Legia hooligans dispersed. The ME members ultimately managed to escape from the Polish supporters through a door at the side of the holding area. Twenty ME officers filed a report of public violence. In their report, they stated that they felt so unsafe that they were on the verge of drawing their weapon. Many feared for their lives and suffered physical and mental injuries due to the excessive violence. Some still suffer from this to this day.
Deliberate attack
The defendants who appeared in court today are part of the group of Legia supporters and were recognized on camera footage from that day. On the Instagram profile of one of the supporters, a photo was also shared of a ME helmet, with the caption that it was stolen from the police on October 5, 2023. This ME helmet was recognized by the police officer whose helmet was taken.
The prosecutor stated in court: The defendants committed serious violence against ME members with a large group of Legia supporters before the football match between AZ and Legia Warsaw. The defendants were at the front when the group confronted the ME members and deliberately initiated the attack on ME officers, who were only present to ensure the football match proceeded without incidents. The ME members were punched, kicked, and justifiably experienced life-threatening situations. The violence was massive, unrestrained, and boundless, and only stopped after the use of tear gas. The violence of that day had a significant impact on the victims. The ME members found themselves in a very dangerous situation due to the actions of the defendants while they were trying to guarantee the safety of all supporters in the context of their duties.
Sentencing demands
The OM finds it proven that the five defendants are guilty of public violence. Two defendants are also guilty of theft of ME equipment, according to the OM.
Against the 27-year-old defendant, the OM demanded 14 months of imprisonment, of which 6 months conditional. The defendant wore a balaclava and repeatedly used excessive violence (stomping, punches, and kicks) against a female officer lying on the ground from whom the helmet was pulled off her head.
Against the 44-year-old defendant, the OM demanded 12 months of imprisonment, of which 6 months conditional. The defendant actively sought out violence, assaulted multiple ME members, and took a baton from one ME officer, hitting him repeatedly with it.
Against the 43-year-old defendant, the OM demanded 10 months of imprisonment, of which 5 months conditional. The defendant pushed forward from the group of supporters to confront the ME and assaulted multiple ME members, grabbing and pulling them down.
Against the 34-year-old defendant, the OM demanded 8 months of imprisonment, of which 4 months conditional. The defendant actively engaged in the violence, even though he was not involved and kicked ME officers who were lying on the ground. He also obtained a baton and a police helmet.
Against the 40-year-old defendant, the OM also demanded 8 months of imprisonment, of which 4 months conditional. He too actively engaged in the conflict he was not part of and kicked ME members who were on the ground at that time.