Many thanks to Gary Fouse for translating this article from Reformatorisch Dagblad:

Public Prosecutor: Destruction of Utrecht graves fits with jihadist ideology

August 26, 2024

The manner in which almost 100 graves were destroyed in the Utrecht Daelwijck cemetery in May of this year fits with the “jihadist” ideology. That is explained by an Arabist in the criminal case file that the justice system has built against the 21-year-old Mohamed B. from Vleuten. On Monday, he appeared for the first time in an open hearing at the criminal court in Utrecht. At the conclusion, he offered his apologies for the destruction.

Besides the desecration of graves, the Public Prosecutor’s Office suspects Mohamed B. of participating in a terrorist organization and preparing to carry out a serious crime, such as causing an explosion. B. reportedly almost traveled to Somalia last year to join ISIS. He was stopped by his father. Then he was in a deradicalization program and reportedly repented. He reportedly went looking for recruiters in order to unmask them.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office does not believe that and thinks that B. wanted to give a different impression to outsiders. B. allegedly remained in contact with jihadist sympathizers and allegedly transferred money to organizations that adhered to that ideology. On the walls of his cell in which he sits in pre-trial detention, he reportedly has written jihadist texts in chalk, according to the prosecutor. According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, a co-suspect has stated that B.’s terrorist ambitions have not lessened.

B. was arrested shortly after the desecration of the graves and has been in custody since. He reportedly filmed the desecration of the graves. His lawyer is asking the court to set B. free under conditions so that he can continue with his therapy process. “There is sufficient supervision and built-in control,” according to the counselor. She denies that the destruction of the graves had anything to do with any terrorist ideology.

The prosecutor opposed suspending the pre-trial arrest. The danger of a repeat offense is too great, according to him. With the destruction of the graves, B. has crossed over from just talking about violence to actually committing violence, he argued. According to the court, the suspicion is too serious and a suspension could not be explained to the public.

Thus, B. will remain in custody until at least the next interim hearing, which is scheduled for November 18.