“Justice for Bas: The Trial of Samir El Y. for the Shooting Death of Bas van Wijk”

It is August 8, 2020. Bas van Wijk is enjoying a sun-drenched day on a beach near the Nieuwe Meer in Amsterdam with a number of friends. When he sees Samir El Y. trying to steal a friend’s watch, he tries to intervene.

With fatal consequences. Shortly afterwards, El Y. shoots Van Wijk twice, in his chest and in his leg. He dies on the spot. The perpetrator flees with the watch, but is arrested a few days later.

Shock

The fact that someone shoots a person in broad daylight immediately causes many shocked reactions. Many people saw the incident happen. Mayor Femke Halsema, among others, spoke out about the case: “Everything indicates that he is an innocent victim who paid the highest price for his courage.”

Van Wijk’s family soon organized a silent march in his home town of Badhoevedorp and a demonstration was also held on Museumplein with the slogan ‘Justice for Bas’. Flowers and cards are placed at the scene of the incident.

The requirement of the Public Prosecution Service in the case was originally 18 years in prison and TBS. Due to a formal error by the Public Prosecution Service, the court did not agree. On the official forms, the time and place were missing in several places: Samir El Y. was only prosecuted for manslaughter, the judge did not include other charges because of the formal error. El Y. received 9 years in prison and TBS. In the appeal, the Public Prosecution Service is demanding 16 years and TBS this time.

According to Richard Korver, the family’s lawyer, the next of kin will be happy when the legal part is hopefully over after today. “They would have preferred to close this earlier. But that was not possible. Like me, they did not agree with the judge that it was a formal error. Legally that is simply not correct in my opinion. So they have to do it again now through.”

Maximum conviction

“The family now hopes that the suspect will still be convicted of everything for which he has been prosecuted. And that a firm, if not maximum, conviction will result from this,” says Korver. “I think it should be possible, there is plenty of evidence.”

Earlier in the process, some relatives already used their right to speak. The victim’s sister spoke on behalf of the family and addressed the suspect. She suffers from extreme fatigue and poor concentration. “I’m trying to suppress the emotions, but I fear a volcanic eruption,” she said.

Her father suffers daily grief and gets little sleep. “The loss of his son is immense,” she said. “My brother has nightmares every night. Every day he is tormented by this atrocity. It is incomprehensible what you have done to us, Samir.”

Regret

Samir El Y. then responded by saying that it was never his intention to shoot Van Wijk. “I understand you hate me. Still I hope you believe me I’m so sorry. I’ve made stupid choices that I can never reverse. I hope one day you can forgive me and move on with your lives.” said the suspect.

The judge will rule in the case today from 11 a.m.