Seven police officers to face trial over man's death during Rotterdam arrest

Seven police officers will face prosecution over the death of a 32-year-old man during an arrest in Rotterdam on June 9, 2023, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) announced Thursday. The man was tasered and held down for a prolonged period before he died. Prosecutors have dropped the case against an eighth officer.

The case will be heard by the Blue Chamber, a specialized court in Utrecht that deals with cases involving police officers. The hearings are scheduled for January 19 and February 15–18, the OM said.

The OM says the seven officers violated the rules governing the use of force during the man's arrest, resulting in the victim's death. The eighth officer was a trainee and, according to prosecutors, was following instructions from higher-ranking colleagues. “The investigation found no evidence that he took any actions on his own initiative that contributed to the victim's death.”

Police were called that evening after the man allegedly collided with a car while riding his bicycle and then left the scene. Two officers chased him, initially in a police van and then on foot.

After the man repeatedly ignored their instructions, one officer deployed a Taser on 's-Gravenweg in Rotterdam. The Taser had no effect, and additional officers arrived as the man continued to resist. Several officers then restrained him while he was lying face down for a prolonged period.

The OM says the man's eventual death in hospital can be explained by the way the officers restrained him.

The OM first announced its intention to prosecute the officers in May 2024. At the time, all eight officers were still facing prosecution, and no hearing dates had been set.