Prison sentence for student who threw sticks during UvA protests

A student has been sentenced to two months in prison for violent behaviour during the pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). She climbed onto a loader and threw sticks at the police.

This week, the student, Simone, appeared in front of the local AT5 TV channel’s camera. Originally from China, Simone claimed that she had done nothing wrong during the May 2024 protests. She believed an impartial judge would acquit her.

She admitted to throwing one stick but did not consider it serious violence, arguing that the police were well protected. In her view, the officers were the ones at fault. “They are armed because they want to use violence – and they do,” she said.

According to De Telegraaf, the student was not present at the trial. The Public Prosecution Service had demanded four months in prison, two of which were suspended. The judge sentenced her to two months, with one month suspension.

HOP, Bas Belleman