Journalist deported by Turkey to sue Dutch state for damages

Ans Boersma. Photo Robin Utrecht via HH
Ans Boersma. Photo Robin Utrecht via HH

The Dutch journalist deported by Turkey earlier this month for alleged involvement in terrorism, is to sue the Dutch state for damages.

The public prosecutor suspects Ans Boersma of helping a former boyfriend, an alleged Syrian terrorist, get papers to come to the Netherlands by committing fraud.

Boersma is accusing the Dutch state of sharing untrue information about her with the Turkish authorities, which she says, put her in physical danger. In addition, she wants both damages for emotional and material damages in connection with her deportation.

Boersma had worked in Turkey for a number of Dutch publications, including the Financieele Dagblad. The paper has since dropped her for failing to tell them about her relationship with the alleged terrorist when he was arrested last October.

The public prosecutor claims the man, who came to the Netherlands in 2014 and denies any involvement with terrorism, was part of the Jabhat al-Nusra terror group – according to the Telegraaf, he had a senior position.

He was spotted at a film screening at the Balie debating centre in Amsterdam in September 2017 and accused of being a former IS fighter by Syrian activists. He was  arrested on terrorism charges a year later and will appear in court alongside his brother next month.

Past

Boersma told current affairs show Nieuwsuur on Thursday night she had no idea about the 32-year-old Syrian’s past.

She admits to being the guarantor on his application for a tourist visa to the Netherlands but says she did nothing wrong. The couple broke up in 2015.

‘I’ve been here for a week and my life has been completely turned upside down,’ she told the broadcaster. ‘I want my life back.’

The Dutch journalists union NVJ said earlier that the public prosecution department had acted irresponsibly in contacting Turkey about her.

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