On 7 May 2025, a pro-Palestinian demonstration took place on the campus of Radboud University. During the protest, a student was seriously injured after being bitten by a police dog. Following an investigation by the National Criminal Investigation Department, the Public Prosecution Service has concluded that the student had not committed any acts of violence against the police. The use of a police dog against this student was therefore unjustified.
University President Alexandra van Huffelen said: “It is appalling that one of our students was so seriously injured. This has had a profound impact - first and foremost on this student, but also on other students, staff members and witnesses. It is important that there is now clarity about what happened. The handler of the police dog will have to answer before the court. We will discuss the Public Prosecution Service’s conclusions with the academic community.”
The Public Prosecution Service also concluded that, given the chaotic and threatening circumstances at the time, the police were justified in using force, including the deployment of a police dog. However, this did not apply to the student in question, as this student did not pose a threat.
On 7 May, the police arrested three people on campus. One of them will have to appear in court on charges of assaulting two security guards and resisting arrest.
For more information, see the news item from the Public Prosecution Service.