Controversial choke hold will not be banned in the Netherlands

The controversial choke hold used by police to subdue people they are trying to arrest will not be banned, sources have told broadcaster Nos.

Justice ministry inspectors have been looking at the use of the choke hold following the death of an Aruban holidaymaker last year.

Mitch Henriquez was killed by a choke hold when he was arrested by a group of police officers last summer. There was another potentially related death in 2013.

According to the Nos, the inspectors say the choke hold does not need to be banned as such, but have raised questions about the way it is used. It recommends more training for police officers in the use of the technique.

Police in many parts of the US are banned from using choke holds because of the risk of cutting off a suspect’s air supply.

Efforts to have the choke hold made illegal in the Netherlands failed in court last year.