THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An Amsterdam District Court on Tuesday sentenced 5 males to as much as six months in jail for violence that erupted round a UEFA Europa League soccer match between the Dutch membership Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv in November.
WATCH: Police investigating what led to violence involving Israeli soccer followers in Amsterdam
The riots, which triggered a world outcry and accusations of deliberate antisemitic assaults, left 5 individuals in hospital and 20 others with minor accidents. More than 60 individuals had been detained.
The court docket on Tuesday sentenced one man to six months in jail, one other to 2 1/2 months and two to 1 month in jail. A fifth defendant obtained 100 hours of group service.
A collection of violent incidents came about between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli soccer followers across the soccer match.
Some of the violence was condemned as antisemitic, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu providing to evacuate Maccabi supporters. The violence, which garnered headlines worldwide, broken Amsterdam’s popularity as a beacon of tolerance and a haven for persecuted religions, together with Jews.
“It appears that the violence arose from sturdy pro-Palestine sentiments and dissatisfaction with the scenario in Gaza, and associated anger in opposition to the Israelis current,” the prosecutors’ workplace mentioned in a press release on the conclusion of hearings two weeks in the past.
The 5 defendants, who’re all Dutch residents and aged between 19 and 32, had been accused of public violence, theft and assault.
The Nov. 8 sport was allowed to go forward after the Netherlands’ counterterror watchdog discovered there was no “concrete risk” to Israeli followers, and the match wasn’t thought-about a excessive threat. Even so, Amsterdam authorities banned a pro-Palestinian demonstration exterior the Johan Cruyff Arena.
According to an investigation, the day earlier than the sport the authorities reported a number of incidents, together with Israeli followers tearing a Palestinian flag from an Amsterdam constructing and attacking a taxi.
Six extra suspects could have their trials at a later date, together with three minors. Under Dutch guidelines, proceedings for juveniles are held behind closed doorways. Police are persevering with to analyze the violence and have launched photos of a number of suspects they wish to determine.
Casert reported from Brussels
