Suspects fireworks bomb Wognum confess presence: “But did not light it”

It is December 31, 2020, 9:15 p.m., when a loud bang is heard and a fireball rises from a bicycle tunnel in Wognum. The damage is extensive and the images of the explosion are going viral on the internet.

Four men were arrested and had to answer in court. Three residents of Sijbekarspel and one from Abbekerk. The youngest is 22, the oldest is 27 years old. Images from a gas station show how three of the four men take jerry cans from the car and fill them with petrol, a total of about 50 liters. Then they drive it to the bicycle tunnel.

Suspects deny setting off fireworks bomb

But what happens after that remains unclear during the session. They park near the tunnel where several people are present. But who then takes the jerry cans out of the car? “I don’t know, but I didn’t lift anything,” says DD (22). He says he only filmed.

The images show two men. KS (27) stated to the police that he recognized himself and co-suspect RS (23). But they both say they did not light the fireworks and threw them at the jerry cans. “I did not set off the bomb,” said RS

According to the public prosecutor, it was pure luck that there were no victims. He refers to a statement by a motorist. At that time, he was just driving over the bicycle tunnel that runs under the road. “She heard a huge bang and saw a sea of ​​​​fire around her. The air pressure of the explosion caused the car to move. She was terrified.”

There is also a cyclist about 200 meters from the tunnel. “He heard the loud bang and saw the fireball. He was shocked and saw 5 to 8 people. They walked to cars and drove away. That cyclist should not have been there a little earlier,” says the judge.

The suspects retroactively call the fireworks explosion stupid and unwise. “I should not have come,” says WB (22). But all four insist that they have done nothing.

2.5 years in prison

The public prosecutor finds the attitude of the suspects disappointing. According to him, three out of four have been proven to have caused a life-threatening situation. Acquittal is only requested against WB because there is insufficient evidence. But against the other three, the officer demanded 2.5 years in prison.

“They did not take into account the possible consequences. What if someone cycled into the tunnel from the other side? This was not a prank or stunt. This is a criminal offense,” the prosecutor stated his demand.

‘Imprisonment would destroy my life’

The lawyers of the suspects think the sentence goes too far. According to them, there was no question of a life-threatening situation for bystanders. They consider it appropriate if it remains a community service order for their clients. Also because probation reports show that the chance of recurrence is minimal and that it has no consequences for their work.

Finally, the suspects once again expressed regret for what happened. “I may not show it that way, but I am a man of few words,” said DD And KS said: “I am deeply ashamed. But a prison sentence would destroy my life.”

The judge will rule in two weeks.