On December 15, 2024, a 23-year-old man from Winterswijk was arrested near a nature reserve. In his car, the police found a camouflage bag, a bow, and arrows. The suspect also had a holster with a 3D printed firearm, a kitchen knife, and a blueprint for making a firearm. He claims it was a failed camping trip. The Public Prosecution Service sees this as acquiring knowledge and skills to commit a terrorist offense.
The man had to account for himself today in the court in Arnhem for illegal possession of weapons and for Article 134a of the Penal Code. This article pertains to actions that enable the commission of a terrorist offense. This can be done by acquiring means, sharing information, or acquiring knowledge and skills.
To establish that the suspect has committed these actions with the intent to commit a terrorist offense, personal development is important. The Public Prosecution Service observes that the man was undergoing a right-wing extremist radicalization process. This is evident from witness statements, including from his family, and from his online behavior. He expresses deep hatred against Jews, reads a lot of Nazi propaganda, and glorifies violence against Jews.
He also has a fascination for terrorist violence. For instance, the suspect made a firearm with a 3D printer. He also had a blueprint for producing a specific type of weapon that is popular in right-wing extremist circles and has been found more often among suspects of terrorism-related offenses. In the suspects home, a rocket was found. This rocket was filled with iron balls, screws, and corner irons. If explosive material were added to this rocket, it could cause many casualties when used.
According to the public prosecutor, all this goes much further than just messing around and fooling around on the internet and tinkering at home: “The suspect was indeed anti-Jewish and took steps to actually do something violent based on right-wing extremist ideology. Firearms are not made for fun; you dont have blueprints of weapons that have already been used in right-wing extremist attacks for fun,” said the public prosecutor. He pointed out that the man calls himself a Jew exterminator on the social media platform X and tried to raise money via X to solve the nose problem, as the suspect refers to it.
For a conviction under Article 134 A of the Penal Code, it is not necessary that there was a concrete plan for an attack, as this was prevented by the arrest of the suspect. However, the outlines of a crime must be present. In this case, according to the public prosecutor, it is clear that the homemade weapons and the rocket were part of the crime the suspect envisioned, and that Jews would be the victims.
Experts have established his heightened interest in anti-Semitic ideology and right-wing extremism but note that the suspect downplays this and does not provide full disclosure. The probation service states that the suspect is highly motivated to participate in violent extremist acts based on moral principles and/or a sense of moral superiority.
This advice presents a very concerning picture, according to the public prosecutor. A prison sentence of 24 months, of which 12 months is conditional with a probation period of three years, is appropriate. Regarding the conditions attached to the conditional sentence, the prosecutor agrees with the advice of the probation service. These include that the man must undergo further examination and treatment.