Five men convicted of five men about violence against Maccabi fans in Amsterdam!

Five men convicted of five men about violence against Maccabi fans in Amsterdam!

Five men condemned for brutal arguments with Israeli football fans in Amsterdam!

The judges of the Amsterdam district court guilty the men spoke guilty about a number of crimes that range from brutal attacks on fans to violent calls in chat groups. The most difficult case concerned a man named Sefa O., who was punished for public violence against several people with a prison sentence of six months.

The terrifying events

The arguments began when the Israeli fans who were in the city to support their team met Pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Videos that circulated on social media showed fans how they sang racist, anti-Arab songs, devastated a taxi and burned a Palestinian flag. These pictures made outrage worldwide!

The police had to intervene after the situation escalated. Witnesses reported that the violence was initiated by the Israeli fans, which further fueled the tensions. The prosecutor made it clear that the attacks "had little to do with football" and emphasized that there was no evidence of a terrorist background or anti -Semitic motifs. "The violence was influenced by the situation in the Gaza Strip, not through anti -Semitism," said the prosecutor.

The judgments and further investigations

The most difficult allegations were raised against Sefa O., which was considered the leader of the violent group. The judges saw frightening pictures that showed how he kicked a man lying on the floor and brutally attacked others. Another defendant, Umutcan A., 24, received a one-month prison sentence for attacking fans and tearing a Maccabi scarf.

A 22-year-old, Abushabab M., is under suspicion of attempted murder, but his process was postponed while he has to undergo psychiatric assessment. His lawyer reported that he was born in the Gaza Strip and grew up in a war zone while Abushabab broke out during the negotiation.

The police continue to investigate at least 45 people because of the acts of violence, including the attacks by the fans of the Israeli association. Six other suspects, including three minors, will be brought to court at a later date.

In an emotional press conference the day after the unrest, the Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said that the city was "deeply damaged" by "hateful anti -Semitic rioters". However, she later regretted that she had compared the violence with “memories of pogroms” because this word was used as a propaganda.