Amsterdam, June 4, 2003

Dutch citizen arrested in connection with EU Summit 2001 in Gothenburg

Yesterday evening around 11:30 p.m., 22-year-old Maarten B. was arrested in Amsterdam. There had been an extradition request pending against him from Sweden for some time. Maarten was accused of having committed violence against a police officer during the EU Summit in Gothenburg, which took place June 14-16, 2001. Charges of participating in a 'violent riot' have also been made against him. Maarten was taken to the police station on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal in Amsterdam. He will stand before the officer of justice [prosecutor] tomorrow.

Maarten was arrested despite agreements between his lawyer and the Swedish authorities. Maarten has always indicated his willingness to co-operate with the investigation and his places of residence and employment were known. The Swedish authorities let his lawyer know some time ago that they wished to first question Maarten in the Netherlands before there would be any question of a trial. This questioning has not yet taken place.

Short background of the events

On the morning of June 14, 2001, the European Summit in the Swedish city of Gothenburg was beginning. Maarten had arrived in the city on the night before and had found a place to sleep in a school provided by the city council. This school was surrounded that morning by the police and all persons present (more than 450) were arrested. Maarten, as well, was arrested for nebulous reasons ('You have come to make trouble') and deported to the Netherlands. He filed a complaint, but it was not taken into consideration.

About four months later, he was notified by a Swedish group that is active on behalf of those charged after the European Summit; he was wanted internationally for severe public disturbance and assaulting a police officer. After doing the necessary footwork, it turned out that there in fact was an international search warrant for him in effect. Although the case against him is barely supported, officers' testimonies contradict one another and the evidence of Maarten's innocence is sufficent (video recordings and witnesses), Maarten is nonetheless now in danger of being extradited to Sweden. The trials that have so far taken place in connection with the EU Summit in Gothenburg have been controversial. By Swedish standards, unusually harsh punishments were meted out, the body of evidence in most cases was meagre, and evidence was demonstrably manipulated. Amnesty International and a commission appointed by the Swedish government, among others, have criticised the way things have gone.

There is not a single reason to continue to hold Maarten. He has indicated that he is willing to co-operate with the investigation, has a permanent place of residence, and there were proper agreements made with the Swedish authorities.

Free Maarten immediately!

For more information:
Support organisation for Maarten: +31-(0)6-42356735
Viktor Koppe (Maarten's lawyer): +31-(0)20-3446200
www.steunmaarten.org