The fourth suspect in the fatal explosion on Tarwekamp in The Hague, following two co-defendants, has expressed regret for his involvement. Mourad B. did so during the second non-substantive hearing of the criminal case.
On December 7 last year, the Mariahoeve district of The Hague was startled around 6:15 a.m. by the explosion in a bridal shop. Six people died and five people were injured. Several homes collapsed or were severely damaged.
Three of the four suspects are suspected of murdering or killing six people. They are also on trial for arson resulting in death, arson in a car, and preparing arson on December 1. They allegedly used 200 liters of gasoline.
The four suspects who appeared in court in The Hague on Monday are Moshtag B., 33, from Rotterdam, Ilias B., 24, from Roosendaal, Adil A., 33, from Oosterhout, and Mourad B., 29, from Alphen aan den Rijn. In the courtroom, all admitted through their lawyers to being involved in the plan to commit arson in the bridal shop, which was the target.
Mourad B. was present in the courtroom for the first time. During the hearing, the Alphenaar said that it was never the intention that the events would lead to a fatal explosion. He also said he sympathized with the relatives.
Two suspects had previously expressed regret
Moshtag B. and Ilias B. already said during the first hearing in March that they were sorry. Both repeated that on Monday.
The Public Prosecution Service (OM) stated on Monday that the suspects “knowingly and willingly” took the risk that people would die as a result of their arson. That would amount to murder and premeditation. Therefore, it wanted an extension of pre-trial detention until the next pro forma hearing in August.
The court did not respond to what the Public Prosecution Service stated, because that would be better suited to the substantive hearing of the case. But due to the impact and seriousness of the events, there was sufficient reason to keep all suspects in custody.
In the run-up to the first pro forma hearing, the entire criminal file was leaked to the media. Photos of the suspects were featured in news articles about the case. The lawyer of one of them asked the Public Prosecution Service during that hearing in March to investigate the leak.
The Public Prosecution Service was also angry about the leak in March, because it fears that potential witnesses would no longer dare to make statements for fear of violating their privacy. But the Public Prosecution Service will not start an investigation into the origin. Too many people would have access to the criminal file and the Public Prosecution Service has no idea in which direction to search.
The next non-substantive hearings of the criminal case are scheduled for August 21 and November 17. The substantive hearing is expected in January or February.