Prosecutors Seek 16 and 13 Years for Fatal Ripdeal in The Hague

The demands could lead to lengthy prison terms if the court accepts prosecutors' claim that the encounter was a planned robbery rather than a drug sale.

Overview

Prosecutors on Monday asked the court to sentence Abdifataah M. to 16 years and Mohamed B. to 13 years for qualified manslaughter in the case that left a 21-year-old dead.
Court testimony and evidence presented by the prosecution describe preparations typical of a ripdeal, including stolen license plates, a parked getaway car and a fatbike staged for flight.
Abdifataah M. has admitted in court that he fired four shots during the struggle, said he fled to Somalia after the shooting and later returned to face charges.
Mohamed B. says the men intended to buy a kilo of cocaine together and denies knowing about a robbery plan or the weapon while the prosecution calls that account implausible.
The kilo of cocaine has not been recovered and the victim's family read emotional statements in court; the judge will deliver a verdict on 22 June.