Prosecutors seek up to 20 years for assassination attempt in Haarlem
Six suspects stand trial over an attempt to kill an Iranian activist.
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The Public Prosecution Service on Thursday sought prison sentences of up to 20 years against six suspects in the case concerning an assassination attempt on an Iranian activist in Haarlem. The court is expected to deliver its verdict on 21 December.
The sentences were sought in the criminal trial of five men and one woman. They are suspected of involvement in preparing or carrying out an attempt to kill Iranian activist and writer Siamak Tahmasbi.
The attempt took place on 6 June 2024 at Tahmasbi’s home in Haarlem. The Public Prosecution Service suspects the group was willing to carry out the attack for money. The precise demands may differ between suspects; in the available reporting, the prosecution has mainly referred to the maximum of 20 years.
The case is being heard at the Schiphol Judicial Complex. One suspect is on the run and is being tried in absentia. The court is considering the allegations against the various suspects separately within the same investigation.
Tahmasbi has spoken out critically online about the Iranian regime. The General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) previously considered Iran likely to be responsible for the assassination attempt, but that possible state involvement does not form part of the criminal investigation into the perpetrators and the person who commissioned the attack, according to the Public Prosecution Service.
The demands do not amount to a ruling on guilt. The court must assess whether the allegations have been proven lawfully and convincingly. The suspects remain legally innocent until the verdict. The Public Prosecution Service has also pointed to earlier preparations and international links, but the judge must determine for each suspect which facts can be proven.
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The new sentence demand, the size of the group and the procedural status have been confirmed by the available sources. The text distinguishes between suspicion, previous intelligence and what the court still has to assess.
- confirmed The Public Prosecution Service sought up to 20 years in prison against six suspects. — Reported on 12 November by 112WWFT, based on the Public Prosecution Service. source
- confirmed The attempt took place in Haarlem on 6 June 2024. — Confirmed by the Public Prosecution Service and NH Nieuws. source
- confirmed The court is expected to deliver its verdict on 21 December. — Stated in the official prosecution report. source
Editor's note
The sentence demand was reported by a source attributing the information to the Public Prosecution Service. The official prosecution page confirms the case, the six suspects and the scheduled verdict, but the version consulted does not publish the exact demands.Sources
- OM eist tot 20 jaar gevangenisstraf voor poging tot liquidatie Iraanse activist — 112WWFT, op basis van Openbaar Ministerie
- Verdachten in zaak poging tot liquidatie Iraanse activist voor de rechter — Openbaar Ministerie
- Verdachte bekent moordpoging op Iraanse publicist in Haarlem — NH Nieuws
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „haarlem liquidatiepoging”
- NU.nl — „haarlem liquidatiepoging”
- De Telegraaf — „haarlem liquidatiepoging”