Two self-proclaimed “sovereign citizens” have been sentenced for making terrorist threats against police officers and a bailiff. Roeland M, 53, from Den Dolder, received a one-year jail sentence, with six months suspended. Paolo P, 54, from Utrecht, was sentenced to six months, with three months in prison. The men are known members of a movement that rejects Dutch law and often refuses to pay taxes or rent, leading to confrontations with authorities.
In their case, the two men sent death threats to police officers, one claiming masked individuals would force a car off the road and shoot at them, while another mentioned targeting an officer’s loved ones. They also threatened a bailiff with a citizen’s arrest and claimed he “would croak.” Additionally, they discussed plans to “arrest” a judge, which led to their arrest after a wiretapped phone conversation revealed their intentions.
The national anti-terrorism agency, NCTV, has expressed concern about the potential for violence within the movement, particularly after a 2023 incident where a man threatened the mayor of Gorinchem. The two men defended their actions as a “cry for attention” and an attempt to initiate dialogue with police. They claimed they were no longer active members of the sovereign citizen movement.
Experts caution that while most of those involved in the movement are not violent, there is a risk of radicalization, particularly in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Some members seek to live autonomously within legal boundaries, such as growing their own food. Despite the movement’s nonviolent nature, authorities continue to monitor it for any potential risks.
