Ali B. has seriously violated the physical integrity of the victims with his actions. He was guided by his own sexual needs, without taking into account the will of the women and the consequences that his actions would have for them. The statements that were read out during the hearing show that Naomi and Ellen are still suffering from those consequences.
The court also took into account that it was difficult for the victims to report or make a report to the police. Due to the status that Ali B. had as a famous Dutch person at the time of the facts and his position and image in the music and television world, it takes courage for the victims to take that step, knowing that this can also have unpleasant consequences for themselves.
At the hearing, the court saw a person who felt cornered and took no responsibility for his actions. The court got the impression that Ali B. is a forceful person who does not accept ‘no’ for an answer, shows little empathy and assumes his own vision of things.
The court also took into account the media attention in this case and the negative consequences this had for Ali B., both privately and professionally. The court only weighed this to a limited extent in Ali B.’s favour, because he can blame this attention on his own criminal behaviour.
Finally, however understandable it may be that the victims only felt the strength or need to report or file a complaint years later, the court took into account in a mitigating sense that the facts took place 10 and 6 years ago.
The court has looked at the sentences imposed in similar cases and, given all the circumstances of the case, considers a prison sentence of two years appropriate.
