An inconvenient opponent?
Willem Engel, figurehead of the “Viruswaarheid” protest movement against the corona measures in the Netherlands, was arrested at the end of March on grounds of “sedition”. His arrest as he left a polling station had gone viral on the web[1], and the news had been relayed by many Dutch and Belgian Dutch-language media.
According to VRT, the investigation opened reportedly followed a collective complaint, information that could not be confirmed.[2]
After a long two-week pre-trial detention, Willem Engel was released on condition that he no longer appear on social media.
Grounds for imprisonment: appearing on social media
A few days later, he was arrested again for failing to comply with this condition, to say the least curious in a democratic country where freedom of expression is enshrined in the constitution. He was eventually released again by decision of the new judge, who in the end found this condition too vague and restrictive in a State governed by the rule of law.
From legal battle to judicial harassment…
Willem Engel tells us that “he has always acted in advocating non-violence, and that this is intimidation aimed at silencing him and silencing anyone opposing the freedom-destroying measures taken over 2 years. (…) They want to make an example of me. It is not only about me, but also about many opponents across the EU, whether lawyers, doctors or opinion leaders in Germany or France, for example. The same methods are being used, with administrative or judicial harassment”.
As a reminder, it was the Viruswaarheid association, represented by Willem Engel and Jeroen Pols, that obtained the suspension of the curfew at first instance in the Netherlands in February 2021. Several legal actions have been brought by the association against the corona measures since the start of the crisis, as well as an action against Marc Van Ranst for defamation.
Willem Engel remains suspected of conspiracy / incitement to insurrection, with an investigation under way. His trial is set for 13 June, among other things for refusing to obey police orders during a demonstration in October 2020. Certain Tweets are also said to be at issue. Without prejudging the nature of these Tweets, it is nonetheless worrying to see that people who fiercely oppose the health measures through legal means, with varying degrees of success, subsequently find themselves locked up and/or banned from social media for reasons that so far seem rather obscure.
To be continued…
Sandra F
[1] Dorien Rose Duinker on Twitter: "Welkom bij de politiestaat der Nederlanden. Als mensen het systeem door hebben worden ze opgesloten. #freeWillem #demonstratie #politiebureau #marconiplein https://t.co/SEjJr4brcv" / Twitter
[2] Nederlandse coronascepticus Willem Engel opgepakt na massa-aangifte | VRT NWS: nieuws
Willem Engel vrijgelaten, mag ook weer op sociale media | RTL Nieuws
