Public Prosecution Service questions suspect of group insult
The Public Prosecution Service of The Hague opened a criminal investigation into a 54-year-old Dutch citizen residing in Germany. The investigation focused on an incident on January 22, 2023. While tearing up a Koran in public in The Hague, the suspect said: "The Koran is a fascist book. As bad as Mein Kampf. Its supporters follow the same ideology as Hitler." The Public Prosecution Service considers this statement to be an insult to the Muslim community. The suspect will be questioned on this matter by the Dutch police.
During the incident the suspect was in the vicinity of the Dutch parliament and performed his actions in front of a camera. Several criminal complaints were received by the Dutch Prosecution Service.
According to the Prosecution Service the statement can be qualified as group insult and is punishable under article 137c of the Dutch Penal Code which states that deliberately insulting a group of people because of their religion or belief is a crime.
However, the act of tearing up a Koran is not a criminal offense according to the Dutch Penal Code. This conduct is considered to be a criticism of faith but not a criminal act. The Public Prosecution Service emphasizes that such actions however can cause feelings of indignation and hurt among the Muslim community. This however does not affect the lack of criminal liability under the Penal Code.