Suspect in Utrecht tram shooting to be charged with murder or manslaughter with terrorist intent

Published March 21, 2019
Suspect Gokmen Tanis is to appear before an investigating judge on Friday.  — AFP/File
Suspect Gokmen Tanis is to appear before an investigating judge on Friday. — AFP/File

Dutch prosecutors say they will charge the main suspect in a deadly tram shooting that took place in Utrecht with offences including multiple murder or manslaughter with a terrorist intent.

In a statement on Thursday, the public prosecutor's office in Utrecht says that the suspect, identified by police as 37-year-old Gokmen Tanis, also faces charges of attempted murder or manslaughter and making threats with a terrorist intent.

Prosecutors say that investigations so far into Monday's shooting in a tram in the central city of Utrecht that left three dead and three seriously injured indicate that the shooter acted alone.

The statement adds that investigations continue into whether the suspect's actions “flowed from personal problems combined with a radicalised ideology.”

Tanis is to appear before an investigating judge on Friday. Such hearings are held behind closed doors.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

ALTHOUGH dealing with the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan is a major political, security and strategic...
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...