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A 36-year-old Moroccan-Dutch man, recently apprehended in the Spanish enclave of Melilla, has denied allegations of fleeing his mandatory psychiatric treatment in the Netherlands. According to the Dutch newspaper DE STENTOR, the man claims he was visiting family in Morocco while awaiting admission to a forensic institution.
The individual, identified only as M.B., was convicted last year by a Limburg court for attempted manslaughter and deprivation of liberty. He received a two-year prison sentence and a TBS order (a Dutch measure for psychiatric treatment). On appeal, this was reduced to one year in prison with TBS.
Earlier this year, the conditions of his TBS were relaxed, as supervision by a care provider was deemed sufficient to prevent recidivism. However, his mental state reportedly deteriorated, marked by drug use and sleepless nights. His lawyer, Leon Rommy, states that M.B. struggled to adhere to the remaining conditions of his TBS measure.
On July 10, a hearing discussed mandatory treatment. Shortly after, M.B. left the country. While prosecutors claim he «slipped away», his lawyer offers a different account. Rommy asserts that bureaucratic delays in securing a clinic placement frustrated his client, who repeatedly expressed his desire for admission.
According to the lawyer, M.B. informed the probation service of his trip abroad via Snapchat. Rommy insists this was not an escape but a «forced departure due to the enormous pressure» his client was under. The Dutch Probation Service has not confirmed these claims, citing privacy concerns.
M.B. began his return journey to the Netherlands on August 14, allegedly unaware he had been internationally flagged by Dutch authorities. He was arrested at the Melilla border crossing by Spanish police and is currently awaiting extradition to the Netherlands.
The man's lawyer emphasizes that if M.B. truly intended to escape, he would have remained in Morocco rather than attempting to return to the Netherlands. M.B. has reportedly agreed to extradition to continue his treatment.
The Public Prosecutor's Office has not commented on the lawyer's account. It remains unclear whether M.B. will face additional penalties for potentially violating his TBS conditions by traveling abroad. He is currently detained in Málaga, awaiting transfer to the Netherlands in the near future.
