Utrecht : Khaled Bakdash
A court in Utrecht has sentenced a 44-year-old man from Amersfoort to six weeks in prison for making a false bomb threat aboard a train near Hilversum. The incident forced a train at Hilversum Sportpark station to be halted and evacuated last Friday.
The presiding judge described the man’s actions as “extremely serious,” noting that the bomb threat caused panic among passengers. In addition to the prison term, the man must also serve a previously suspended three-week sentence, according to regional broadcaster NH.
When determining the sentence, the judge took into account the suspect’s vulnerability. The man has a long history of criminal behavior and social-care interventions. He had previously suffered from psychosis, struggled with addiction, and has a mild intellectual disability.
No Explosive Found
Although the suspect denied the accusation, the court convicted him based in part on the testimony of a woman who was on the train. He reportedly told her: “There is a bomb on this train. Get out quickly and don’t come back.”
The woman contacted the Dutch Railways (NS) emergency line, and the suspect was later arrested by the Special Intervention Service (DSI). No explosive device was found on board.
In total, three people were detained in connection with the incident. One was found to have no involvement, while another had previously been fined for issuing threats.