Today, the Public Prosecutor’s Office presented its oral arguments in the criminal case against an Eritrean man known as ‘Walid’. He stands accused of having headed a transnational criminal organization (a human smuggling network). The goal of this organization was, i.a. to smuggle migrants from the Libyan coast to Europe, across the perilous Mediterranean sea route. This was accompanied by considerable violence, including sexual violence, and extortion. Many of Walid’s victims are refugees from Eritrea.
Aside from his role in the criminal organization, Walid is also charged with i.a. a number of specific ‘cases’ of human smuggling. Those counts in the indictment tie in with the accusation made against Walid in relation to the criminal organization. Specific victims –survivors—are listed in each of the human smuggling counts. Lawyers Brechtje Vossenberg and Barbara van Straaten represent four of these survivors. On Monday 17 November 2025, their clients exercised their right to speak. See for more information [in Dutch]:
- R. Spekenbrink, ‘Indringende verhalen van slachtoffers mensensmokkelaar Walid: ‘Eigenlijk verdient hij de dood’, Algemeen Dagblad, 17 November 2025
- P. Hotse Smit, ‘De slachtoffers van mensensmokkelaar W. spreken: ‘Ik denk nog steeds aan de vrouwen die werden verkracht’ de Volkskrant, 17 November 2025
Given the considerable interest in the case against Walid, also from the Eritrean diaspora in the Netherlands and elsewhere in the world, the district court of Zwolle has made a Livestream available. More information about the planning and the Livestream is available via Rechtspraak.nl >> here <<
On Monday 24 November 2025, the defense will present its oral arguments, and on 26 November 2025 the reply and rejoinder of the participating parties will take place as well as the ‘final word’ of the accused. At present the court is expected to render its verdict in this case at the end of January 2026.
Background
The criminal investigation against Walid is called ‘Pearce’ and focuses on events in Libya. Walid is suspected, among other things, of being in charge of several (transit) camps along the smuggling route there, where migrants were forced to stay while awaiting onward travel to the coast. The conditions in these camps were inhumane, and the migrants faced daily (threats of) psychological, physical, and/or sexual violence from Walid and his subordinates and/or members of his organization. They were forced to pay large sums of money to Walid and his organization, which typically took place using (severe) violence. After paying that "travel money", the migrants were transported to the coast for the perilous journey to Europe. The criminal organization then sent them, dozens and sometimes hundreds at a time, out onto the Mediterranean sea in rickety boats. These boats lacked basic safety equipment, (sufficient) provisions, and skilled personnel. Out in the open sea, the migrants waited, between hope and fear, for rescue.
See also [in Dutch]
- R. Koelewijn & H. Logtenberg, ‘Verdachte van grootschalige mensensmokkel staat terecht voor Nederlandse rechtbank’, NRC, 3 November 2025
- P. Hotse Smit, ‘Bij mensensmokkelaar W. was niemand veilig: ‘Als hij een meisje leuk vond, kon niemand hem tegenhouden’, de Volkskrant, 4 November 2025
- Nuhanovic Foundation, litigation tracker (Pearce)