#JusticeDone: Terrorist conviction following Eurojust support

Justice Done: On 19 February 2021, the Court of Appeal of The Hague convicted a suspect of preparing and/or facilitating the carrying out of a terrorist attack, threat of a terrorist offence and incitement and/or distribution of inciting writings or images. The suspect was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.

Crime: After a Dutch parliamentarian announced a cartoon competition relating to the Prophet Mohammed, in late August 2018 the Dutch police were made aware of a video posted on Facebook by a man of Pakistani origin. He was said to have entered the Netherlands with the intent to kill the Dutch politician.

Action: The following day, he was arrested at The Hague Central Station.

Result: During the action day, the Dutch authorities arrested the two main suspects who had hired two drivers that were arrested earlier in the year. The criminals were also allegedly involved in the hiring of four other drivers that were arrested previously in Hungary, Germany and Austria for people smuggling.

Eurojust's role: The Dutch authorities sought Eurojust's assistance prompted by the suspicion of preparation of murder with terrorist intent. Information was needed on the suspect's whereabouts in the period and years before his arrest, to understand his motives and to explore whether he worked alone or as part of a terrorist group. Eurojust facilitated the gathering of information as well as requests for materials and legal assistance from several EU Member States and third countries.