Of the 62 people local authorities detained following the attacks on Israeli soccer fans on Thursday night, only ten remain in custody, ANP reported on Saturday, citing Chief Prosecutor Rene de Beukelaer.
Beukelaer said the authorities aimed to soon try the ten suspects in a fast-track hearing, adding the people released are suspected of insulting and throwing fireworks.
“The investigation that we started during the night focuses on suspects who can be seen on the film footage,” De Beukelaer said. “We are also investigating whether there are connections between these suspects and how they came to these violent actions. We are also investigating whether it was organized,” the chief prosecutor said.
Of the ten in custody, eight are adults and two are minors, the chief prosecutor said.
The suspects are in custody for public violence against individuals and groups.
Pogrom on Thursday evening
On Thursday evening, following a Europa League soccer match between Amsterdam’s Ajax and Tel Aviv’s Maccabi Tel Aviv teams, pro-Palestinian rioters began attacking Maccabi football fans while they were on their way back to their hotels.
Footage circulating on social media showed fans being beaten, chased with knives, and being targeted by vehicles.
Additionally, some Israelis were reportedly thrown into the Amsterdam canals, and witnesses saw attempted stabbings. Dutch riot police were sent in to respond to the attackers, and Israel permitted El Al to operate on Shabbat to evacuate the remaining Israelis in Amsterdam.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof called the attacks “completely unacceptable” and said he was “ashamed about what happened in the Netherlands.” Dutch Party for Freedom founder and leader Geert Wilders said on X/Twitter, “We have become the Gaza of Europe. Muslims with Palestinian flags hunting down Jews. I will NOT accept that. NEVER. The authorities will be held accountable for their failure to protect the Israeli citizens. Never again.”
Mathilda Heller, Shir Perets, Sarah Moskowitz, and Danielle Greyman-Kennard contributed to this report.
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