In the summer of 2023, the city of Groningen and the region of East Groningen were shaken by a series of successive explosions at business premises and residences. This had a significant impact on the sense of safety of those directly involved and the other residents of the region.
The three suspects who are on trial today have all contributed in their own roles to causing an explosion at a shop in the middle of a shopping street in Winschoten on September 16, 2023. They are two men aged 21 and a man aged 22, all from Tilburg.
“This is a serious and particularly dangerous criminal offense. The suspects have caused significant damage. That it has remained limited to material damage is, given the risks associated with firework fuel combinations, not due to the actions of the suspects. Especially since on September 16, 2023, several residents were at home and moreover – as is to be expected in a shopping street – there were people present on the street, it could have ended much more seriously,” said the prosecutor in her indictment.
Moreover, one of the suspects has also been guilty of complicity in an explosion on September 19, 2023, at another business premises. Significant damage was also caused here. Furthermore, the residents of Winschoten were startled shortly after the previous attack by yet another explosion.
Apart from the concrete damage and risks, criminal offenses like these, partly due to their intimidating nature, also bring about social unrest, fear, and feelings of insecurity in society. Especially during a period when explosions of firework bombs were a daily occurrence in the province of Groningen. These cases also fit into the worrying trend that is visible throughout the country, where an increasing number of individuals, mainly young people, who are not involved in a conflict are nevertheless found willing to place explosives at homes and businesses on behalf of others.
The prosecutor: “The suspects seem to have thought only of their own financial gain, of making quick money, and showed no respect for others property, health, or sense of safety. This is particularly blameworthy and calls for a strong criminal response. It is not only about retribution, but also about sending a general preventive signal. Given the high increase in the number of such explosions recently, society has a vested interest in the punishment having a deterrent effect. A punishment that conveys that committing such acts does not pay off.”
The prosecutor concludes that it can be proven that the three men were involved in one or both explosions in Winschoten. She demands prison sentences of 42 months to 15 months for their roles in these criminal offenses, of which part is conditional.
On Tuesday, April 8, a 17-year-old co-defendant will stand trial. Due to his minority, this case will be handled behind closed doors. He is accused of involvement in both explosions in Winschoten and in an explosion on Herestraat in the center of Groningen on September 12, 2023. The demand for punishment in this case will be announced through an addition to this press release.