De Zaak Blok

Short Synopsis 'De Zaak Blok' (The Blok Case)

On the 14th of June 2001 Amsterdam resident Maarten Blok is in the Swedish town Gothenburg to demonstrate against the Euro summit. Shortly before President Bush will be passing by, the place where he and his fellow protestors sleep is cordoned off by sea containers.

Maarten (on the right) tries to get over the wall of containers.

As he tries to escape he is beaten and arrested by the police; later he gets deported from Sweden. Obviously Maarten is angry and files a complaint against the Swedish police.

Several months later he is informed that Sweden has requested his extradition because he is supposed to have severely battered a policeman. The Dutch government turns out only too willing to expel a Dutch citizen.

For three years Maarten, with the help of many friends at home and abroad, fights against his expulsion and for a fair trial. His case gradually gets more support and publicity, but it is of no avail: on the 31st of August Hans Donner, the Dutch Minister of Justice, decides to have Maarten extradited to Sweden.

Maarten's extradition to Sweden met with a lot of interest of the press.

A month later a group of friends and relatives travels to Gothenburg, where a thrilling trial begins ...