The Public Prosecution Service (OM) demands five years of imprisonment against a 22-year-old man from Vleuten. The man was arrested on May 15, 2024, on suspicion of participation in a terrorist organization and preparing a terrorist crime. Shortly after his arrest, another suspicion arises. According to the OM, the man is also responsible for the destruction of 117 graves at the Utrecht cemetery Daelwijck on the night of May 4 to 5 and on May 11, 2024.
The suspect comes into view at the end of 2023 after his family manages to prevent him and a co-suspect from traveling to Somalia at the last moment, where Islamic State (IS) is active. The family seeks help from the municipality. Because traveling to IS territory to join the fight is punishable, the OM initiates a criminal investigation. Partly due to the involvement of the suspects parents, the OM initially chooses to have the suspect enrolled in a support program aimed at de-radicalization.
Dying as a Martyr
Despite the suspect giving the impression that he has gained new insights, it soon becomes clear that he continues his radicalization. After the AIVD sends an official report about the suspect to the OM, police investigations show that the suspect continues to seek contact with like-minded individuals. In chat messages, he talks about dying as a martyr and decapitating all Zionists. He also tries to persuade a 16-year-old boy via social media to travel abroad at the suspects expense. He also discusses arranging weapons from Germany and carrying out an attack in Europe that would result in more than thirty deaths. The conversations continue until the day of his arrest.
Trail of Destruction
While the suspect is in pre-trial detention, his phone is searched. The police find videos showing the suspect destroying several graves. It soon becomes clear that this takes place at the Daelwijck cemetery in Utrecht. Of the destroyed graves, particularly the accompanying photos of the deceased have been violently treated. Crosses and figurines are also destroyed. An action that, according to a Middle East expert from the police, fits well with IS propaganda. That the suspect is the one who destroyed the graves in those videos is evident from the fact that the vandal wears the same shoes as the suspect.
Ultimately, the suspect confesses to having destroyed about twenty graves. According to the OM, the suspect is responsible for the destruction of 117 graves. This is evident from the period when the suspects car is parked at the cemetery at the time of the destruction. The cemeterys layout and the videos of the destroyed graves also play a role. Based on the videos, the trail of destruction can be documented. Although not all destroyed graves have been filmed, it is highly likely that the suspect, who was the only one present at the cemetery at that time, also damaged the other graves in between filming.
Right to Remain Silent
Although the suspect initially remains silent, he later indicates that he only set everything in motion to help his father and the police catch recruiters. Notably, the suspect invokes his right to remain silent when the police follow up on this. Despite the suspect claiming that he only wanted to help, he also provides no useful information and refuses to give the police access to his mobile phone.
“Most Impactful”
When determining the sentence demand, the seriousness of the facts is taken into account. According to the public prosecutor, terrorist crimes are of the most serious kind and are solely intended to destroy state structures and instill fear. “The suspect has contributed to this, not only by gathering information and attempting to travel but also by influencing and encouraging others,” states the prosecutor. Regarding the destruction of the graves, the prosecutor is also clear. “The destruction of so many graves, with such a bizarre and incomprehensible motive for relatives, is the most impactful destruction I have seen in criminal cases.”
Against the 22-year-old suspect, the OM therefore demands a prison sentence of five years. The OM also demands the imposition of behavior-influencing and freedom-restricting measures. This way, the court can impose the necessary interventions after the prison sentence has been served. Finally, the suspect, if it is up to the OM, will receive a location ban for a maximum of five years for the Daelwijck cemetery in Utrecht.