Dutch court hands Amsterdam ‘Jew hunt’ attackers prison terms topping out at 6 months

A Dutch court has convicted five people of taking part in violence against Israeli soccer fans last month, handing them sentences ranging from six months in prison to community service.

The five men are accused of playing a role in “hit-and-run” style attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and others, in a burst of violence condemned in the Netherlands and elsewhere as antisemitic. During the violence, Israelis were forced to hide in their hotels and later fled the city under heavy protection.

The judge hands a 32-year-old identified as Sefa O., who prosecutors said played a “leading role” in the violence, the largest sentence: six months in prison, minus time served in custody already. Images shown in court had shown the man kicking a person on the ground, chasing others and punching people in the head and the body.

Another man, Umutcan A., is handed an eight-month sentence for assaulting fans, though three of the months are suspended. He had also been accused of spreading messages online calling for a “Jew hunt.”

Another convict, Rashid O. is handed a 10-week sentence after he was convicted of spreading messages online glorifying violence against Jews, while a second person, Karavan S. who was also active online, is handed a one-month sentence.

A minor named as Lucas D. is given only 100 hours of community service after the court determines that his actions were closer to soccer hooliganism than an antisemitic pogrom.

A further six suspects are set to appear at a later stage, including one man accused of attempted murder who is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.