The trial of five men accused of violence against Israeli football fans in November begins today in an Amsterdam court.
The men, aged between 19 and 32, will face a panel of three judges in an Amsterdam court. Two other suspects are due to appear in court on Thursday.
The first to appear before the judges today is a 19-year-old from the town of Monnickendam, northeast of Amsterdam, accused of violence committed around the Ajax stadium.
The young man, who is also accused of sharing information about violence and illegal possession of fireworks, is said to have shouted anti-Semitic slogans and thrown stones at police.
Later today, a 22-year-old man from the southern part of Eindhoven will appear in court to face the most serious charge, attempted manslaughter, according to the public prosecutor.
The charges against him concern attacks committed near Dam Square, the main square in the Dutch capital, on the sidelines of a match between Ajax and Maccabi.
According to the official version, on the night of 7 to 8 November, after a Europa League match between Ajax Amsterdam and the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israeli fans were chased and attacked in the streets of Amsterdam.
According to the authorities, five people were briefly hospitalised following these incidents.
It was later reported by the television station Al Jazeera and the British newspaper Guardian that there had been isolated incidents, including anti-Arab chants by Maccabi fans, who had also allegedly destroyed a Palestinian flag.
Ajax beat Maccabi 5-0.
