Major Marco Kroon will not be prosecuted for dragging away a demonstrator during a commemoration on Liberation Day in Wageningen. The five demonstrators involved will not be prosecuted for disturbing the commemoration.
Two demonstrators had filed a report against Kroon because they felt he had ended a peaceful demonstration. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) sees no reason to prosecute Kroon, who received the Military William Order for his services to the army, due to the circumstances.
The incident happened during the commemoration on Liberation Day in Wageningen this year. During a speech by Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, two demonstrators climbed over the fence. Kroon, who was present as a guest at the commemoration, saw this happen and rushed to the demonstrators. He grabbed one of the demonstrators and dragged them to the fence.
When the demonstrators climbed over the fence, their intentions could not immediately be clear to bystanders, the Public Prosecution Service writes in a press release. Justice therefore finds it conceivable that Kroon reacted. But he should actually have left the intervention to the police, the Public Prosecution Service believes.
Nevertheless, the Public Prosecution Service understands that Kroon intervened because, as a soldier, he is used to acting quickly. Justice does want to emphasize that it is not the intention to “physically attack” protesters during demonstrations.
In addition, the criminal cases against five demonstrators will be dismissed. No criminal offenses have been established. The Public Prosecution Service is reluctant to prosecute demonstrators because the right to demonstrate is enshrined in the Dutch Constitution and European human rights.
The Public Prosecution Service has offered Kroon and the demonstrators to facilitate a restorative conversation for them.