The assassination of a Dutch lawyer has halted the prosecution of 15 Ajax fans accused of bringing violence to the streets of Glasgow.
Derk Wiersum was leaving his home in Amsterdam on Wednesday when a gunman launched his attack, described by police as “exceptionally brutal.”
Yesterday, Dutch legal authorities postponed proceedings against the men, who were summoned to appear in court on charges of public violence four years ago.
Four Celtic pubs in Glasgow’s Gallowgate were attacked in November 2015 ahead of a “high risk” Europa League match with Ajax.
Neil O’Donnell, 37, boss of The Hoops Bar, was battered senseless with an iron bar.
When police eventually arrived, the thugs were still jumping on his head.
Neil said later: “I’ve got three titanium plates in my face, held together with six screws. Unfortunately, that is there permanently.”
The case had been due to start yesterday in front of three judges in the Amsterdam court house.
The dead lawyer was not connected to the case but, with the Dutch legal service in turmoil, the Glasgow prosecution was postponed to a later date.
Wiersum, 44, had been representing state witness Nabil Bakkali, who was due to give evidence against 16 men accused of five murders.
The case is said to be linked to organised crime.
Jan Struijs of the NPB police union said the Netherlands had turned into a “narco state”.
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