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The chairman asks for understanding for the restrictive measures taken for public health reasons in court. [ Corona virus ]
The president calls the shooting inside and outside the tram "an unprecedented tragedy", and says that Gökmen T. was "a derailing suspect" during the court hearings.
The president reads the substance of the verdict.
On March 18, 2019, 3 days after the attack in Christchurch, an attack took place in Utrecht that seriously shocked the country, the chairman says. Gökmen T. shot dead people, wounded people, everything under the invocation of Allah.
The way in which the attack took place quickly reminded one of a terrorist motive. The discovery of the weapon with silencer and texts reinforced that impression.
Extensive investigations have taken place, says the chairman. The trial was one of "tremendous emotion". Victims and next of kin made impressive statements.
The president explained the decision to assign a lawyer to the man who did not want legal aid. André Seebregts had to "navigate on his own compass," the president says.
Gökmen T. did nothing to hide his aversion to everything and everyone he categorised as 'democracy'. The chairman is dwelling for a long time on the misconduct of the #tramschutter.
The chairman also says that Gökmen T.'s behaviour caused extra suffering to the victims and next of kin.
As far as the court is concerned, all accusations have been proven. Murder of 4 people with terrorist intent, multiple attempted murder and threats of multiple people, all with terrorist intent.
The chairman now first discusses the claim for damages of the victims and next of kin, and then comes to the sentencing and finally the punishment that Gökmen T. receives.
Will it be life imprisonment, or a long prison sentence with tbs with coercion? That's what the proceedings focused on. The prosecution wants the first, lawyer Seebregts wants the second.
In principle, a life sentence is appropriate for the "horrifying acts," the president says. Gökmen T.'s aim was to incite fear and dismay in society, legitimized by his faith. Now the question of whether Gökmen T. will indeed get that life sentence.
It comes as no surprise that the accused did not show regret or repentance for a single moment. Even during the hearing he did not miss an opportunity to taunt the victim and next of kin, the chairman says.
Gökmen T. radicalised quickly in the time before the attack. The conclusion can only be that the accused stood - and stands - for what he did, the chairman concludes.
The chairman also mentions the view that Gökmen T. himself sketched during interrogations. The prospect of committing further acts of violence in the future in the name of his faith.
The chairman now discusses the - limited - investigation into Gökmen T.'s mental faculties. The experts did not get a complete view of the person of the accused.
The experts stated that Gökmen T.'s faith and his extremist views gave him a foothold in a failed life. The assessment of the experts is adopted by the court. But the court thinks the danger of repetition is high
With the punishment that Gökmen T. receives, the court also wants to deter others who might intend to commit violence.
In principle, therefore, the court sees no room for a punishment other than life imprisonment. It is still not entirely clear whether Gökmen T. will actually get it.
The chairman now discusses the defences that lawyer Seebregts put forward. He pleaded in favour of imposing a long temporary prison sentence in combination with tbs with coercive treatment, because of his lack of mental capacity.
The imposition of life imprisonment is normally unusual when there is a reduction in imputability. But it is not impossible.
So far, the court rejects all defenses of attorney Seebregts.
The experts did see leads for a treatment of Gökmen T., in a forced framework. Because he will not voluntarily participate in a treatment.
The court points to the adjustment of the life sentence since a few years. This is no longer life imprisonment by definition, but is re-examined after about 25 years.
This could mean that Gökmen T. could in theory be released again, even if he is sentenced to life imprisonment. But then he hasn't been treated, and is still a danger.
But those are future uncertain events, says the court. The final defence is also dismissed.
Life imprisonment for #tramshooter Gökmen T.
Lawyer André Seebregts will now discuss with the dean of the Bar Association what he has to do: appeal or not? No consultation with Gökmen T. has been possible so far.
BBM
Thinking of the victims and their families today. May Justice give them peace and help recover those who were left behind.
