Wouter R., together with Micha Kat, Hans de M. and Joost K., ran a number of online platforms with thousands of followers, on which they ranted against the corona measures and their creators. According to them, the corona pandemic is a false intent by an elite; all kinds of high-ranking people such as Rutte, minister Hugo de Jonge and Van Dissel would be key figures in a sinister group that held rituals around child abuse.
The conspiracy theorists from the Bodegraven group based themselves mainly on the so-called ‘recovered memories’ of Joost K., who came to the conclusion that he was ritually abused in that place as a child. He would have seen with his own eyes that Jaap van Dissel turned the neck of a child who was struggling.
imagined
There is no shred of evidence for such hidden satanic networks, so the recovered memories are likely false or imagined, the prosecutor said. But for the people accused by the group, including a doctor in Bodegraven, the consequences were all the more real. They faced death threats and calls to visit their homes. “The family is scarred for life by libel, slander and threats,” said a spokesman for the RIVM last week about the threats against Van Dissel. “A person’s life has been turned upside down by a made-up story.”
The cemetery in Bodegraven also had to deal with the followers of the conspiracy theorists. The cemetery was turned into a sea of flowers last year by followers who believed victims of ritual abuse were buried there. The father of a child buried there was told by the followers of Joost K. that he committed ‘grave robbery’ and that he would have been paid to withhold the ‘truth’.
‘Judge and executioner’
“Suspects did ‘own investigation’ and were investigators, judge and executioner at the same time,” said the officer. “We see that more often among conspiracy theorists. Facts that don’t suit them are ignored. They deliberately exclude themselves from the rule of law.”
“There are only assumptions and thoughts and patterns,” said the Hague court president to Wouter R last week. “But no evidence or witnesses, other than Joost K. And yet you nailed those people to the pillory.”
Lawyer Vermeij van Wouter R. says that his statements on the internet news of the group were too vague to be referred to as libel, slander or threat. “Attention was only drawn to the abuse case of Joost K. It is class justice that the Public Prosecution Service sees these statements as threats, only because it concerns Van Dissel. Justice has wanted to silence client Wouter R.”
Brain
Justice sees Wouter R. as the mastermind behind the group. In addition to jail time, he will be subject to even more restrictions if it is up to the Public Prosecution Service. He may no longer brand anyone as the perpetrator of satanic abuse in Bodegraven or refer to virologists as Nazis. He should also stay away from chat groups and online platforms that spread conspiracy theories about abuse.
Justice sees Wouter R. as fully accountable. This does not apply to Joost K., who has a mental disorder. As far as justice is concerned, he does not have to spend longer in prison than the period he has already served: 270 days. However, the Public Prosecution Service demands a suspended prison sentence, a ban on using drugs and area and contact bans to prevent the group from again building conspiracy theories about memories and accusing people.
Hans de M. does not have to go back to jail as far as the Public Prosecution is concerned. However, he also faces a suspended sentence; he is banned from contacting the others and he has to carry out community service.