A teenager from the municipality of Steenbergen is said to have prepared an attack on Shell Pernis in South Holland. The House of Representatives, the AIVD intelligence service building and Dow Chemical in Terneuzen were also in his view. It is unclear how serious the attack plan was. He seemed mainly in the grip of social media. But he has already been in jail for three months, as it became apparent on Thursday during a first public hearing about his case. “I’m not a terrorist,” the boy said.
He was 18 years old when he committed the crime last fall. The indictment states that he made plans for an attack from his parental home. He typed up a PDF document with a plan. He had circled Shell Pernis on a map. He also bought a flight simulator and a drone. Moreover, the boy had conceived the idea of traveling to Libya and presenting his attack plan there.
Martyr
The indictment further states that he delved into ‘right-wing extremist ideas’. He also chatted that he would like to die as a martyr, just like plane hijacker Mohammed Atta during the attacks in America in September 2001. In addition to the accusations about attack plans, he is also said to have threatened someone in Friesland via Discord.
On or around March 15 this year, the police arrested him and he ended up in a penitentiary psychiatric center of a prison. This is a special department with detainees who are often confused, have disorders and need extra care.
The boy appeared in court in Breda on Thursday. He was squirming in his chair. “You are looking in every direction except at me,” the court chairman said at the start of the case. “No, I’m listening,” said the boy.
Social media
The public prosecutor spoke of “a serious suspicion”. “I saw him at the first council chamber. Compared to now, that is a big difference. Things went very badly then: he was emotional and could hardly get his words out. It is clear what happened. He was caught in the trap of social media.”
She also said that the boy had already been warned once by the police, but did not provide any details. “He is open to assistance. I hope we can find a suitable form of guidance that does not require too much screens.”
Forbidden
She also had good news: the probation service is positive about release, but with strict conditions, such as a reporting obligation and cooperation in treatment. He is also not allowed on social media, such as Instagram and TikTok. That is being checked. He also receives location bans for the municipality of The Hague, Terneuzen and the Shell factory in Pernis. The boy can wear an ankle bracelet tomorrow morning to ‘follow him closely’.
The court chairman asked what he thought about that. “Good,” said the boy. “I’m going to stick to it. I have good plans: get to work straight away, start school, build my life.” He also wants to go back to school.
“I just went too far. I didn’t want to commit an attack, but to build a future. With God’s will, everything will be fine.”
Release
The judges briefly deliberated behind closed doors and decided on his pre-trial detention. “The suspicion is very serious, I see you nodding. So serious that the court does not often suspend. We will do it in your case.” He can therefore go home under strict conditions and with an ankle bracelet.
The judge warned that he will go back to jail if he does not behave. “Nothing can go wrong. You have to stick to it. I hope we are clear about that.” The boy nodded and said, “Thank you. I’m not a terrorist.”