DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

21 June 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Politics
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Station attacker came deliberately to NL, had been spotted by police

September 4, 2018
Photo: Depositphotos.com
Photo: Depositphotos.com

The Afghan national who stabbed two American tourists in Amsterdam’s central station on Friday came deliberately to the Netherlands to carry out his attack, the public prosecution department said on Monday evening.

He made the trip because he felt the prophet Mohammed, the Koran and Islam were being insulted in the Netherlands, and also made mention of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders, the spokeswoman told broadcaster NOS.

But he did not mention the Mohammed cartoon competition which Wilders had been organising. The MP cancelled the plans the day before the attack citing the risk to public safety.

Jawed S, who has a German residency permit, came to Amsterdam by train from Germany towards the end of the morning and stabbed his two victims shortly after his arrival. He has told investigators he did not know they were American tourists.

Spotted

Amsterdam police chief Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg told television talk show Pauw on Monday evening he is convinced there would have been more victims if the police had not acted so quickly.

He was already under police observation for ‘strange behaviour’ when he launched his attack in the western tunnel under the station, Aalbersberg said.

A specially trained spotter had noticed S ‘aimlessly wandering around’ and alerted colleagues. They were on the point of questioning him when S stabbed one of his victims in the back. Nine seconds later he attacked the second and police shot him in the hip.

Hospital

S had two large knives in his possession, one of which was still in his rucksack.

Both S and his two victims are still being treated in hospital. S was remanded in custody by judges on Monday afternoon.

Last week police arrested a Pakistan national at The Hague’s main railway station after he placed a video on Facebook in which he made vague threats against parliament and Wilders, without mentioning him by name.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Crime Society
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
GroenLinks-PvdA members back weapons embargo on Israel
Beautiful addiction: art meets taxidermy in new Amsterdam museum
Amsterdam marks 750th anniversary with party on A10 ring road
Dutch News podcast: The Twisted Family Trees Edition
The phoney war between Timmermans and Yeşilgöz could damage both
NewsHomeEconomyPoliticsArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now