Crime

Reports on criminal activities, investigations, and law enforcement

Student injured during education protests in Lens

◆8 sources

A 15-year-old student was seriously injured during education protests in Lens, France, after a projectile believed to have been fired by police exploded when he picked it up. Later reports said he lost a hand. The type of projectile was initially unclear; some reports identified it as a tear-gas or flash grenade. One report said he was hospitalised in Lille and was not in danger. Hundreds of French secondary schools remained closed for a second week because of security concerns amid continuing protests.

Work

Allegations of discrimination in UWV fraud enforcement

◆11 sources

Reports based on confidential documents and accounts from current and former employees alleged that UWV’s Enforcement Department more often imposed fines, and imposed higher fines, in fraud investigations involving people with bicultural or non-traditionally Dutch surnames. The reports also alleged racism, discrimination and ethnic profiling within the department’s workplace culture. UWV’s new chief executive, Abdeluheb Choho, apologised and said he opposed racism. Social Affairs Minister Hans Vijlbrief called the alleged unequal treatment unacceptable and asked UWV for a thorough investigation and appropriate measures. National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism Rabin Baldewsingh condemned the allegations, while trade union FNV said it was shocked but not surprised.

Crime

Extinction Rebellion protest at Schiphol Airport

◆5 sources

Extinction Rebellion protesters demonstrated beyond the security checkpoint in lounge 1 at Schiphol Airport against KLM's frequent-flyer programme. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee arrested them for trespassing and took them away by bus. The Marechaussee initially reported 31 arrests, while Extinction Rebellion said 32 people had been detained. The group later said all those arrested had been released and taken by bus to the nearest station. It remains unclear what consequences the arrests will have.

Crime

Investigation into Flydubai copilot attack

◆6 sources

Australian authorities are investigating the links between Australia and the Flydubai copilot who attacked the aircraft commander on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv the previous week. They are examining whether the Omani man was radicalised while studying in Australia between 2015 and 2017; a single report said he received a student visa in 2014 and that it was withdrawn in 2019 because he was no longer studying. Reports said the copilot had previously been banned from flying by an employer in Oman. They also reported that he attacked or stabbed his colleague in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport. One report said he had discussed such a plan before joining the airline. Separately, regional officials reportedly said that the United Arab Emirates had shared the flight's passenger and crew lists with Israel before departure.

Crime

Prison sentence for stalking former partner

◆3 sources

A Rotterdam court sentenced a 42-year-old man to 14 months in prison for stalking his former partner between 2019 and 2025. The reports said he repeatedly contacted her by telephone and through letters and cards, and made unwanted visits to her home.