The two 19-year-old Tilburg residents who were still in custody for their possible involvement in the attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam may await their trial in freedom. The court decided on Tuesday to suspend their pre-trial detention, partly because two other suspects in this case had previously been released under conditions. Only a 23-year-old suspect remains in custody for the time being.
During the first preparatory session it became clear that the people of Tilburg had confessed to the attack. Afterwards, several lawyers asked for their clients to be released. According to the counselors, the suspects would adhere to any conditions that the court would attach to a suspension of their detention.
The Public Prosecution Service (OM) opposed those requests. The public prosecutor pointed out that two of the six suspects have not yet made a statement and therefore provide no insight into their actions. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the risk of recurrence is still present.
Impact on Jewish community
In addition, the Public Prosecution Service emphasized the major impact of the case on the Jewish community. The officer spoke of facts that ‘have hit the Jewish community in the Netherlands to the heart’ and the consequences of which are still noticeable. The social impact of the attack on the synagogue in Rotterdam was also pointed out during the hearing.
However, the court saw insufficient reason to detain the two 19-year-old suspects longer. A factor in this was that the court had previously ruled that two other suspects could be released under conditions. As a result, according to the court, there was little room to treat the two Tilburg residents differently and ‘one line’ must be drawn.
One man certainly
The 23-year-old suspect from Amsterdam remains in pre-trial detention. According to the court, his situation differs from that of the other suspects, partly because he has previously come into contact with the police and the judiciary.
It is not yet known when the substantive hearing of the case will take place.