Prosecutors Seek 30-Month Term and Citywide Ban in Rotterdam Serial Groping Case

Overview

• The Public Prosecution Service, which asked Friday for a 30-month prison term, also sought a Rotterdam-wide location ban for the 32-year-old defendant.
• Victims told the court the assaults left lasting harm, with some diagnosed with PTSD and receiving EMDR therapy.
• Investigators cited a repeated method of a cyclist grabbing women from behind in the city center and Kralingse Bos, cellphone mast hits near the scenes, and a selfie on the suspect’s phone that matched a victim’s photo and description.
• The defendant remained silent in court as his lawyer argued there is no DNA from his client, noted varying descriptions by victims, challenged how phone data were interpreted, and asked for acquittal.
• The court set its verdict for April 10, which will determine any prison term and whether a citywide location ban is imposed.