The trial has opened of five suspects facing charges, including one of attempted manslaughter, after last month’s attacks in Amsterdam on Israeli football supporters.
The men, aged from 19 to 32, are to face a three-judge bench at the Amsterdam district court in staggered appearances. Two more suspects are to appear on Thursday.
All seven have been charged with public violence, Dutch prosecutors said.
Supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv were assaulted in the early hours of 8 November in parts of the city after calls on social media to attack them.
The violence sparked outrage in Israel and among Dutch politicians, who described them as antisemitic.
The attacks followed two days of skirmishes in which Maccabi fans chanted anti-Arab songs, vandalised a taxi and burned a Palestinian flag.
Police said they were investigating at least 45 people in connection with the violence.
First up before the judges on Wednesday was a 19-year-old man from the town of Monnickendam, north-east of Amsterdam, accused of committing public violence around the Johan Cruyff Arena, including shouting antisemitic slogans and throwing rocks at the police. He also faces a charge of sharing information about public violence and illegal possession of fireworks.
Later on Wednesday, a 22-year-old man from Son en Breugel, near Eindhoven, will appear facing the most serious charge of attempted manslaughter, prosecutors said.
The charge against him relates to assaults near Amsterdam’s Dam Square in the violence that followed the game between home team Ajax and Maccabi.
Apart from the seven suspects appearing this week, at least six others are also to face charges in connection with the violence on the night and its aftermath. Three of these suspects are minors and their cases will be heard behind closed doors.
“Charges have also been laid against Maccabi fans, who displayed provocative behaviour before the game,” the Dutch Public Prosecution Service said in a statement.
The incident and its aftermath left the Dutch capital reeling and polarised attitudes among its various communities.
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