Nearly two years after the devastating explosion at the Tarwekamp in The Hague, the courtroom has become a stage for raw, unfiltered grief.
On the fourth day of the trial, the owner of the bridal shop—the primary target of the December 2024 attack—addressed the four suspects directly. Speaking in her native language, she confronted them with a searing message: “Shame on you, shame on you deeply,” as reported by NOS Nieuws.
The attack, which claimed six lives, was allegedly orchestrated by the shop owner’s ex-boyfriend, Moshtag B. According to the investigation, the relationship had ended shortly before the blast. Prosecutors allege that B. felt his honor was compromised and sought to retaliate.
The courtroom proceedings, which began this week, have provided a platform for 33 victims and surviving relatives to speak, though many have described the process as one that rips open old wounds, according to WNL.
The shop owner systematically dismantled the defense of each man present. She addressed Adil A., who is suspected of lesser charges because he withdrew during the planning phase. “When you tell me you didn’t want to participate anymore because the payment was too low, that hurts me,” she said to NOS Nieuws. “You withdrew because the money was insufficient, not because you had a crisis of conscience.”
She then turned her attention to cousins Mourad B. and Ilias B., who are accused of carrying out the physical act of the explosion. “I cannot imagine that money was the motivation to participate in this,” she told the court. “I want you to realize how much grief you have caused.”
The most pointed confrontation was reserved for her ex-partner. She reminded the court that Moshtag B. had comforted her in the immediate aftermath of the explosion, acting as if he were mourning alongside her.
The human cost of the tragedy was perhaps most visible in the video testimony of a 10-year-old boy who lost his parents and 17-year-old sister in the blast. “I miss my family very much. Often I cry in a corner of my room,” he shared.
The boy, who was eight at the time of the December 7, 2024, attack, now lives with his aunt. He told the court that he could never forgive the four suspects for taking away his parents and sister.
The financial toll of the destruction is as staggering as the emotional one. The court has received 68 claims for damages totaling nearly 10 million euros. This includes 7,5 miljoen euro for material losses, such as medical expenses and lost business income, and 2,3 miljoen euro for intangible damages related to the shock and trauma of losing loved ones. Among the claimants are individual residents, local businesses, and the Municipality of The Hague.
Legal representatives for the families have highlighted the difficulty of the process. “There is no punishment that takes the suffering away,” said lawyer Bart Visser, who is representing the families. Visser said that the families are searching for answers about the motive and the exact sequence of events, a process that has proven difficult as the suspects remain largely uncooperative.
Evidence presented during the trial indicates that the suspects were aware of the danger posed to the residents living above the bridal shop. According to court Saskia Belleman, the suspects considered sending a warning or calling 112 but ultimately decided against it. “They said they knew there was danger for the people living above,” Belleman said in coverage by WNL.
The trial continues as the court processes the remaining victim impact statements and the substantial compensation claims.
