The Public Prosecution Service has demanded a six-month prison sentence for two men accused of projecting racist slogans on Rotterdam’s Erasmus Bridge. This request was made today in the Rotterdam court.
During the 2022 to 2023 New Year’s transition, far-right, discriminatory messages such as “White lives matter” and “Merry white 2023” were projected on the bridge and seen during RTL’s countdown broadcast. The men, 26-year-old John A. from Zwijndrecht and 36-year-old Daniil S. from Landgraaf, are also suspected of similar projections in Alkmaar and Eindhoven in early 2023.
They are associated with the White Lives Matter group, according to regional broadcaster Rijnmond. The prosecution argues these actions amount to group insult and incitement to discrimination, noting that over a million people were exposed to the live broadcast.
The suspects were arrested in February 2023, detained for a period, and then released pending trial. Both men remained silent during police questioning and were absent from today’s court session.
Their lawyers cited media pressure for A. and work commitments for S. as reasons for their absence.
Source: NOS