A 20-year-aged man was sentenced to 30 months in prison, with 15 months suspended, by the Amsterdam court for commissioning a 14-year-old to attempt an explosion at a De Pizzabakkers restaurant in Amsterdam-Oost. The man provided the teenager with materials intended for the explosion, according to the court’s ruling.
The attempted bombing was planned for the night of September 2-3, 2025. The 14-year-old was apprehended by police even as carrying a cobra firework bomb, additional fireworks, and three bottles of gasoline before he could detonate the device.
Police were already surveilling the area due to previous explosions at other De Pizzabakkers locations in Amsterdam. Four restaurants of the chain had previously been targeted.
Exploitation of a Minor
Evidence from the 20-year-old’s phone revealed messages directing the teenager to place the explosive device and attempting to evade police detection. The court determined this demonstrated a leading role in the attempted bombing.
The judge stated that providing the explosive materials to a minor is a “societal plague” and particularly reprehensible given the 20-year-old remained at a distance while the younger individual was put at risk.
The 14-year-old was sentenced three weeks ago to six months in juvenile detention for his role in the incident. The court acknowledged he did not conceive the plan himself and was acting under pressure, but criticized his lack of consideration for the potential consequences of an explosion.
Looking Ahead
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the sentence given to the 20-year-old man?
The 20-year-old man was sentenced to 30 months in prison, with 15 months suspended, and a three-year probation period.
What was the 14-year-old carrying when he was apprehended?
The 14-year-old was carrying a cobra firework bomb, other fireworks, and three bottles of gasoline.
Why were police surveilling the De Pizzabakkers restaurant?
Police were surveilling the restaurant because other De Pizzabakkers locations in Amsterdam had previously been targeted by explosions.
As De Pizzabakkers continues to grapple with the fallout from these incidents, what steps might be taken to ensure the safety of both employees and customers at its remaining locations?
