Activist Bas M. from Aalsmeer has been sentenced by the police judge in Lelystad to a fine of 800 euros. M. fights against the nature policy in the Oostvaardersplassen and was guilty of slander and defamation according to the judge.
M. posted a photo of a dead horse on Facebook in February 2019. In doing so, he called biologist Frans Vera, one of the founders of the nature reserve, a “criminal” and a “dangerous madman”.
The judge finds that M. has gone too far in his fight against nature policy. “You can have criticism, but it’s about the way you do it. If you say that someone is a criminal, his honor and good name are affected. There are also limits to the right to free speech,” the judge ruled according to Broadcasting Flevoland.
Outside the court, a group of activists staged a small protest. Like M., the activists are angry about the policy in the nature reserve. Animals die there unnecessarily, they say.
Not the first time
It is not the first time that M. had to appear in court. The court in Leeuwarden acquitted him of defamation and slander in May this year and sentenced him for insulting the management of Staatsbosbeheer.
He also received a community service order in 2018 for destroying a sluice in the Oostvaardersplassen to allow drinking water for the animals to pass. An appeal is still pending against that conviction.
The officer had demanded a fine of 1050 euros for today’s case. M. also says he will appeal against this conviction.
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