Defense set aside: Public Prosecution Service may prosecute suspected human trafficker Walid from Eritrea

The suspect is from Eritrea, the victims are from Africa, and the crimes are alleged to have been committed in Libya and Italy. Why is the massive trial against Walid, who is suspected of human trafficking, extortion, rape, and manslaughter, taking place in the Zwolle court?

With that question, the lawyers of the Eritrean suspect tried on Monday to stop the case immediately after the first of nine scheduled hearing days.

This is one of the largest human smuggling cases ever in the Netherlands. Walid allegedly held thousands of migrants from countries including Eritrea hostage in Libyan camps on their way to Europe. There, he allegedly tortured and raped them. Their families were blackmailed by phone. He allegedly made a substantial profit from these practices.

Double punished

Aside from the lack of a Dutch connection, Walid's defense raised several other arguments to largely dismiss the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM). Walid was convicted in Ethiopia of human trafficking, extortion, and participation in a criminal organization.

He was sentenced to eighteen years in prison there. Double prosecution for (partly) the same offenses is prohibited. Furthermore, the summons allegedly does not meet legal requirements, and the Public Prosecution Service failed to list all the offenses for which he is currently being tried in its extradition request to Ethiopia.

"I'm not Walid. I don't speak the language, I don't know this country.

Walid ,suspect

"The Public Prosecution Service wanted to respond to the global migration problem. That's politically understandable, but it's not the responsibility of criminal law," said attorney Simcha Plas. "This took place in Libya, between non-Dutch people involved."

And her colleague Jordi L'Homme: "The Public Prosecution Service has overplayed its hand. The prosecution of Walid should end here today." Incidentally, their client denies being the suspect, Walid, says he has a different name and is 45 years old instead of 41. He has been in custody in the Netherlands since 2022.

Other victims

The Public Prosecution Service responded briefly to the lawyers' lengthy plea. "Walid is one of the largest smugglers on the Central Mediterranean route," said the prosecutor. "The verdict in Ethiopia concerned five different victims than those for whom he is now on trial. And the consequences of human smuggling are also manifesting themselves in the Netherlands: after entering the Schengen area, a migrant has access to all associated countries."

The court considered the lawyers' questions legitimate, but in fact premature, said the presiding judge. "We are now rejecting your defense, because these questions must be discussed during the substantive hearing. Ultimately, we will have to address them in the verdict."

However, the court dropped the money laundering charge, because Walid was not extradited from Ethiopia for this and cannot be tried.

Exceptional case

There is a second main suspect in the case, Kidane. This Eritrean is currently in custody in Dubai and is expected to be extradited to the Netherlands soon.

Walid himself issued a brief statement. "I am not the person you're looking for; I am not Walid. I don't speak the language, I don't know this country, and I don't know what I've been charged with. I stand by my previous statements and will continue to exercise my right to remain silent."

The judge initially called the case "exceptional, given the size of the case file (25,000 pages) and the nature of the allegations." Various international media outlets are following the case, which will continue in the coming weeks. A verdict is expected in mid-January 2026.

The Public Prosecution Service may prosecute suspected human trafficker Walid from Eritrea ...