{"id":175431,"date":"2025-01-30T09:34:37","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T08:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=175431"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:40","slug":"day-four-of-the-trial-from-arrest-to-sentencing-demand-the-public-prosecutor-begins-the-closing-argument","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2025\/01\/30\/day-four-of-the-trial-from-arrest-to-sentencing-demand-the-public-prosecutor-begins-the-closing-argument\/","title":{"rendered":"Day four of the trial: Public prosecutor demands thirty years in prison with mandatory treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

While victims and relatives have exercised their right to speak in the first three days of trial, the fourth day is dedicated to the public prosecutor’s argument and the sentencing demand against Fouad L. Follow the live report of the day here.<\/p>\n

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14.15: 'Not dissatisfied with the hearing'<\/h2>

Afterwards, attendees continue discussing outside. \u201cShall we get a drink?\u201d, someone asks their group. The others nod in agreement.<\/p>\n

They are \u2018not dissatisfied\u2019 with the sentencing demand, a bereaved relative says. Student Jasper, who witnessed the incident and spoke during the trial on Tuesday, lets out a deep sigh. He plans to use the weekend to recover. \u201cSo much has happened and been said this week. I haven\u2019t even had time to process it all.\u201d But he will only feel relieved after the verdict. \u201cThen I can close this chapter and move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

14.00: Defence speaks<\/h2>

The hearing resumed after lunch. Fouad L.\u2019s lawyer, Marlin Nolte, begins her plea by acknowledging that this may be difficult for the victims and their families. She emphasises that she does not wish to diminish their suffering.<\/p>\n

Nolte recounts L.\u2019s life story chronologically. \u201cFrom the age of five, he wanted to become a doctor. During his youth, he even ended friendships to focus on this goal.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to L., this dream was repeatedly thwarted by Erasmus MC. He failed the clinical skills practical five times because he was deemed to lack empathy. Lecturer Jurgen Damen reportedly sent an email about this to the examination board. What followed in the years after was a failed remediation process and study delays.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe resents Erasmus MC\u201d, says Nolte. She quotes her client: \u201cThe programme pushed me into a corner, which led me to mistreat a rabbit when I could have been doing a clinical internship instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

In February 2023, after eleven and a half years, L. finally completed all his coursework and was set to graduate. However, the community police officer sent an email to the examination board, including information about the animal abuse. This led to a meeting on 17 March 2023, where the board informed L. that he would not receive his diploma. At that moment, he became convinced that the programme had conspired against him. \u201cHe saw his dream collapse like a house of cards\u201d, says the lawyer. \u201cHe was not going to graduate, lost his future job, and had no prospects. His mental state deteriorated severely.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lawyer does not contest the demand for compulsory psychiatric treatment. She believes her client should begin this as soon as possible. However, she argues for a maximum prison sentence of 25 years. She sees \u2018no justification\u2019 for imposing life imprisonment due to L.\u2019s diminished accountability.<\/p>\n

Murmurs arise in the courtroom as the lawyer concludes her plea. L. remains motionless throughout, staring at his laptop screen. \u201cThe final word is yours\u201d, the judge says to L. He responds: \u201cI stand by what my lawyer has said.\u201d<\/p>\n

At 14.00, the judge adjourns the session. The verdict will be delivered on 21 February.<\/p>\n

12.00: \u2018It couldn't have been better\u2019<\/h2>

Student Jasper, a direct eyewitness to the murder of lecturer Jurgen Damen, \u00a0is present in the courtroom. He quietly followed the prosecutor\u2019s argument from the public gallery. \u201cQuite intense\u201d, he says during the break. \u201cEspecially when the footage from Erasmus MC was shown.\u201d He found the argument to be \u2018a great speech\u2019. \u201cThe prosecutor mentioned details and statements from neighbours, victims, and eyewitnesses. It felt like a recognition of our suffering\u201d, he says.<\/p>\n

He is also \u2018satisfied\u2019 with the prosecution\u2019s demand. \u201cI had not expected the prosecutor to demand thirty years. It couldn\u2019t have been better\u201d, he believes.<\/p>\n

11.50: Public prosecutor demands thirty years in prison with mandatory treatment<\/h2>

The public prosecutor concludes her speech with the sentencing demand: she sees reasons not to demand a life sentence, but instead a long prison term of up to thirty years with a hospital order. The Public Prosecution Service opts for this because L. is considered to have diminished responsibility. \u201cWe also believe that a long prison sentence combined with compulsory treatment better protects society from this suspect, who experts consider highly likely to reoffend\u201d, the prosecutor explains. \u201cAfter all, a life sentence is subject to a review after 25 years to assess whether the suspect is eligible for reintegration activities with a view to returning to society.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the speech, the session was suspended.<\/p>\n

10.40: The prosecutor shows footage of L.'s 'operation'<\/h2>

Fouad L. meticulously planned the attack, the public prosecutor states. She presents compilation footage to illustrate the day\u2019s chronology. The footage is sourced from cameras of the municipality of Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, and an international school in the city centre.<\/p>\n

The footage shows L. entering the Gk-building at 12.33 via the staff entrance. He had observed that lecturer Jurgen Damen had a practical class in the building that day and wanted to check if Damen was indeed present at that time. Footage from the Education Centre is also shown: L. wandered around the building, threatened several people, and was carrying six molotov cocktails. Panic among students is clearly visible. A female student takes cover under the table of a study island in the Education Centre, not far from where L. threw a molotov cocktail. Footage from Heiman Dullaertplein is too much for some people in the public gallery. One wipes away a tear, another looks away. \u201cImages say so much more than words, that\u2019s why we show this\u201d, the prosecutor says.<\/p>\n

She then chronologically lists the facts. L. started planning \u2018the operation\u2019\u00a0 a half year in advance. According to the prosecutor, he deliberately murdered three people \u2013 including Romy, a 14-year-old girl \u2013 and meticulously planned the attack on Erasmus MC.<\/p>\n

9.05: Hearing not as busy as in recent days<\/h2>

Unlike the past few days, people are only trickling in around 9.00. Half of the seats in the public gallery are still unoccupied. Among the audience is student Jasper, who is talking to local residents. \u201cIn my mind, no punishment is severe enough\u201d, says one resident.<\/p>\n

By the time the hearing begins at 9.30, the room is full.<\/p>\n

8.30: Damage claims exceeding two million euros<\/h2>

On Wednesday, the session concluded with the handling of the damages claims from neighbours. In total, victims and relatives are demanding more than 2 million euros in compensation from Fouad L. His lawyer has already indicated that he would never be able to pay this amount. In that case, the state will take over the claim, so that the relatives and victims do not have to pursue the compensation themselves.<\/p>\n

Today the session will largely focus on the closing speech, the plea from the public prosecutor in which the sentencing demand is substantiated. In the speech, she will once again outline all the facts, particularly the conclusions of the investigations, witness statements, and interrogations since the arrest on the small grassy area near the Erasmus MC.<\/p>\n\n\t

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