Green MSP wants answers on Ajax hooligans decision
A Green MSP is seeking answers from the Scottish Government as to why visiting Dutch football fans, accused of attacking supporters and vandalising pubs prior to a match in Glasgow in 2015, will not be prosecuted.
John Finnie MSP, the Scottish Greens’ justice spokesperson, has lodged a number of parliamentary questions to find out why the decision was taken not to charge suspected Ajax supporters accused of rampaging down the Gallowgate area of Glasgow prior to a Europa League match with Celtic two years ago.
Reports quote the Crown Office as saying “After carefully considering the facts and circumstances and discussing with representatives from the Netherlands, Crown Counsel instructed that the matter be transferred there for Dutch prosecutors to take forward.”
Mr Finnie has sought information on whether the prosecution of suspects is regularly handed over to overseas authorities and if so how often it takes place and for what crimes and what the implications are for victims and witnesses.
John Finnie said:
“It is extremely concerning that the Crown Office has decided not to pursue charges against 15 individuals who have been identified as suspects in cases of serious assault and criminal damage in what were highly co-ordinated, premeditated acts of violence.
“I have submitted a number of questions to the Scottish Government in relation to this serious matter seeking an explanation on how such decisions are made as it appears the victims and witnesses have been completely overlooked by the Crown Office in this instance.
“I have also sought to establish whether the Crown Office regularly hands over the prosecution of suspects to overseas authorities and, if so, in what circumstances. If this is the case, then it is also important to understand what contingencies are being worked on in the event of the UK exit from the EU.”