Four individuals were sentenced to short jail terms for their violent actions against football fans in Amsterdam during a Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Amsterdam district court imposed the longest sentence of six months on 32-year-old Sefa Ö, while another defendant received 10 weeks and two others were sentenced to one month each. A fifth individual was ordered to complete community service as a minor.
The judge emphasized that due to the severity of the violence, a prison sentence was deemed appropriate. The unrest occurred in early November, drawing international criticism for the chaotic scenes in various parts of the Dutch capital.
These five defendants faced trial as the first group linked to hit-and-run incidents that unfolded on November 8, amidst two days of escalating violence. The court highlighted substantial video evidence demonstrating the extreme aggression faced by Maccabi fans, including episodes of supporters tearing down Palestinian flags and chanting anti-Arab slogans. Additionally, taxi vandalism was noted.
While acknowledging the broader context of unrest in the Netherlands due to the conflict in Gaza, the court firmly stated that no justification existed for the physical violence directed at Israeli supporters.
Sefa Ö was found to have delivered a karate-style kick to one victim, resulting in him colliding with a moving tram, and was involved in several other assaults. Evidence was presented showing him engaged in violence across key locations in Amsterdam, with prosecutors arguing he played a significant role in the disturbances unrelated to football.
Another defendant, 26-year-old Rachid O, received a 10-week sentence and was implicated in a WhatsApp group that targeted Jews for violence, specifically referencing their “cowardly” behavior. This group boasted over 900 members, sharing plans to perpetrate violence against people of Jewish descent and Maccabi supporters.
Umutcan A, aged 24, was observed kicking victims during the attacks and attempting to seize a fan’s scarf. Although he expressed he held no hatred toward Jews, his messaging groups referenced a “Jew hunt.”
Karanveer S, also 26, was noted for a prior conviction for assault in 2022, failing to deter him from participating in the recent violence. The youngest participant, 19-year-old Lucas D, faced further scrutiny for assaulting a police officer and engaging in a Snapchat group promoting violence against Maccabi fans. At the time of his arrest, he possessed an illegal high-explosive firework.
All five individuals have a two-week window to appeal their sentences. The chief prosecutor clarified that while the assaults included instances of antisemitism, they did not amount to terrorism, and the intent was not to instill fear. He acknowledged the resulting anxiety within the Jewish community in Amsterdam, distinguishing it from the attackers’ objectives.
