Tarwekamp accused blame each other in court over Hague blast that killed six

The trial of Moshtag B., the cousins Mourad B. and Ilyas B. from Roosendaal, and Adil A. from Oosterhout began on Wednesday. They face charges over the arson that caused an explosion in December 2024, which destroyed a bridal shop on the Tarwekamp in The Hague. Six people died and five were seriously injured.

Police and prosecutors see Moshtag B., the shop owner's ex-partner, as the man who commissioned the attack. The explosion followed arson at the shop in the early hours of 7 December 2024. A car was also set on fire, and dozens of litres of petrol were used.

Moshtag B. told the court he first wanted only to have dresses stolen from the shop. He denies being behind the attack and says the escalation was not his idea. He says he was swept along and felt pressure from the other defendants.

The other three contradict him. Mourad B. said the idea of setting the shop on fire "came from Moshtag". Ilyas B. said he saw himself mainly as someone who carried out the plan, not one who devised it, and said he took part for the €1,000 he was promised. He said he had debts, but never imagined what happened.

Adil A. said: "Moshtag keeps on lying and he still isn't taking any responsibility." He said he first heard of arson on 16 November, at a meeting in a café in Oosterhout. By his own account, he decided to pull out after a recce on 28 November.

At the end of Wednesday's hearing, Moshtag B. also retracted what he told police earlier, when he said he had "heard voices". "That was purely impulsive. The questioning overwhelmed me. I was in a storm of emotions myself. It was traumatic for me too," he said. The trial continues on Thursday, when the defendants' personal circumstances are due to be discussed. Nine hearing days are planned over several weeks, and the court is expected to rule in mid-January.

What happens next

• Thursday: the hearing continues and the defendants' personal circumstances are discussed.
• Over several weeks: nine hearing days are scheduled, and victims and bereaved relatives are due to speak about their suffering.
• Mid-January: the court is expected to give its ruling.