The Public Prosecution Service (OM) on Monday demanded fines of 350 euros and twice community service against four suspects of incitement. In 2018, they would have placed inflammatory comments under a livestream during the Sinterklaas entry in Amstelveen.
A total of 25 suspects are being prosecuted for remarks addressed to protesters of the Kick Out Zwarte Piet (KOZP) action group and journalist and columnist Clarice Gargard.
KOZP demonstrated against Black Petes and Gargard shared the images of this to express her support. This resulted in a flood of negative reactions. The prosecutor described the responses Monday as “an avalanche of hatred”.
“Criminal statements that do not fit in a proper debate,” the officer continued. “Statements in which the man was played and whose impact should not be underestimated.”
According to the OM, the statements contribute to the further polarization of society. The criminal case should therefore be seen as a signal to other “keyboard knights.”
Note also contained racist element
The suspects who are on trial on Monday made comments such as “bomb on it”, “all cut off their tongues. This is not about anything,” “It was a pity that they have abolished slavery. I would get the whip over it. Bunch of NSB members. don’t drive over a truck “and” what time are we going? Let’s roll over it “.
Two suspects apologized and Eddy K. says he is ashamed of his remark about suggesting that a truck drive people over. He heard demanding community service because his comment also contains a racist element.
Willem A. says that he now realizes that people are shocked by his remark that people had to be rolled over. He was angry that the demonstration took place during a children’s party like Sinterklaas. He too heard demanding community service.
Gargard’s lawyer, Sidney Smeets, said he could not do much with the apologies made. In any case, they never reached his client prior to this case. Gargard felt threatened and didn’t know how seriously to take the threats.
Gargard is asking for compensation of 150 euros per person. According to the Public Prosecution Service, that claim must be rejected in these cases because the comments were not directed against her and no demonstrable psychological damage was suffered.
The lawyers of three suspects asked for acquittal because there would be no criminal incitement.
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