Dutch prosecutors drop case against eighth officer in fatal arrest

A 32-year-old man died after being restrained by police in Rotterdam on June 9, 2023.

Officers had pursued him after a reported traffic incident, and he was tasered before several officers held him face down.

He became unwell, was resuscitated and later died in hospital.

Prosecutors say seven officers are still being prosecuted because they allegedly breached rules on the use of force.

The case against an eighth officer, who was still in training, has been dropped because investigators found he followed senior colleagues' instructions and did not act on his own in a way that contributed to the death.

The case against the seven officers is due to be heard in January and February 2027 at a special court in Utrecht.

It will be the first time so many officers have faced trial together in the Netherlands.