Dutch youth of Moroccan origin gets eight years for terrorism

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dpa German Press Agency
Published: Friday December 1, 2006

Amsterdam- An Amsterdam court Friday sentenced Samir Azzouz, a Dutch youth of Moroccan origin, to eight years in jail for planning a terrorist attack on the headquarters of the intelligence services in The Hague. Prosecutors had called for a 15-year sentence, but the court ruled that the group around Azzouz, 20, could not be characterized as a terrorist organization as alleged.

Among the evidence presented was a film showing Azzouz bidding farewell to his supporters.

Two other men and a woman in the case received sentences up to four years, also for preparing a terrorist attack.

A further accused was sentenced to three months for fraud relating to his identity documents and the sixth accused was acquitted.

Despite his youth, Azzouz, who was born and grew up in Amsterdam, has previously been acquitted of similar offences.

He has been linked to Mohammed Bouyeri, who is serving a life sentence for the November 2004 murder of film maker Theo van Gogh, but has not been charged for being a member of Bouryeri's group, the so-called "Hofstadgroep."

During his trial Azzouz expressed hatred for the Netherlands and pledged to leave once he had served his sentence.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency