An argument over drug money prompted the deadly shooting at a coffee shop on the Nieuwmarkt in November 2023. The two men involved in the shooting stated this in court today. "I don't deny that I was involved in such things," Fuad H. said. In the coffee shop, an argument arose over a phone whereupon the men moved outside. There Mohamed H. - accomplice of Fuad - pulled the trigger. The prosecution is demanding 13 years in prison against the men.
In mid-November 2023, several guests were present in coffee shop 'Green Place' on the Kloveniersburgwal when shots were fired at around 10:30 p.m. The shooter was shot. 33-year-old Saïd Yusuf was hit in the head and later died in hospital. Two suspects were detained, one was arrested across the border in Germany. The 28-year-old shooter, Mohamed H., reported to the police station a day after the shooting.
Conflict over drug money
A dispute over money, possibly tons, prompted the conflict that arose in the coffee shop. The ultimate victim and Fuad H. were arguing over a drug debt. "I do not deny that I was involved in such matters," Fuad H. said in court today. To resolve the conflict, several meetings were held at the coffee shop, where the conflict flared up Nov. 19, 2023. A fight ensued in which the victim struck and Mohamed H. shot him.
Mohamed H.: "I was not involved in the conflict over the money, but I knew that Fuad H. was being threatened by Saïd." About the moment the conflict got completely out of hand, he says, "I walked into the coffee shop and then Saïd ran toward me from a corner, he had a hand in his right pocket and made a move. I thought he wanted to do something to me, because he had been threatening me all evening."
'Cold and pure liquidation'
But according to the prosecutor, it was a "cold and pure liquidation" and the conflict in the coffee shop revolved around Fuad H.'s phone and the conflict over money. His phone was taken away by the eventual victim and he did not get it back. The officer argues that Fuad had taken the ultimate shooter "just in case," as written in messages on Fuad H.'s phone.
"Guilty must face consequences "Relatives of Said Yusuf
The relatives of Said Yusuf stated today that the loss of Yusuf leaves a void that will never be filled: "His smile, his kindness - everything about Said brought light into the lives of others." They call for justice for Said, and demand that the perpetrators be held accountable for their actions. "The guilty must face the consequences of their act, so that no one ever has to suffer in this way again," the lawyer on behalf of the bereaved families stated in court today.
Regret
H. said today he is very sorry for what happened. "I have the purest intentions, my actions will have to have consequences," H. said. "I want to offer my sincere apologies to the next of kin, I hope they will be able to look at the whole situation and see that it was not my intention to hurt anyone. It was an accident, I am sorry for my part in that and that I was there."
The court will rule on the case in two weeks.
