The owner of Restaurant Cizbiz Köfte in Roosendaal is very shocked by the attack on his business. “I wouldn’t know where this came from,” he says, standing in front of his destroyed restaurant in the Rembrandt Gallery. His window blew out early Sunday morning after an explosion. The rear of the building was also seriously damaged and a fire broke out.
“I’ve been here since 2018, this is the first time something really happens. Two attempts have been made before. I really don’t know where it came from, I also have questions,” says the owner, who wishes to remain anonymous.
It’s the third time his restaurant has been targeted. On the night of January 2 to 3, explosives were stuck to the window of his shop, but the perpetrator eventually fled when a pedestrian approached. A week and a half later, on January 13, heavy fireworks were again pasted against the window, presumably by the same perpetrator. The fireworks did explode this time, causing a lot of damage. There was a big hole in the window and the whole place was covered with splinters of glass.
On this third attempt, the damage is even greater. But despite the fact that the entrepreneur does not know who is targeting his business and why, he does not let himself be chased away. “I want to stay here and just do my job. I’m a bit scared now, but hey, what else can I do? I wouldn’t know.”
On rumors circulating that “illegal practices” are happening in his business and that the attack is related to that, the owner says: “When people look inside during the day, they see that the restaurant is always packed. So it is kinda weird that they say something like that.”
At least two perpetrators were involved in the action, according to CCTV footage. “The perpetrators are unrecognizable, so I don’t know who they are.” One of the perpetrators was dressed in all black and had a hood over his head, according to police. The other was wearing a black and gray jacket and jeans.
The investigation into the fireworks attack is still ongoing. On Monday, the police will pay attention to the case in the Bureau Brabant investigation program. “I hope they find the perpetrators,” said the owner of the case.
This is what it looked like right after the explosion: