Netherlands to deport Turkish citizens committing ‘fake crimes’ to stay in country

A 52-year-old Turkish national, Yilmaz C., will be deported to Türkiye after completing a 12-year prison sentence for deliberately injuring a 73-year-old woman with his car.

The Utrecht Court ruled that Yilmaz C., who allegedly staged the crime to receive state care, will be sent back to Türkiye following his release.

Court ruling and deportation decision

The court sentenced Yilmaz C. for attempted murder after he intentionally struck the woman in Soest. The local court also decided on his deportation once the prison term was complete, a move supported by the victim’s family.

Prosecutors initially sought a 20-year sentence but did not appeal the 12-year verdict, citing concerns about prolonging his stay in Dutch custody.

According to court records, Yilmaz C. admitted that he planned the attack in advance, packing a bag to prepare for prison. “I decided to go to prison because at least there, the state would take care of me,” he told the police.

History of repeat offenses

Reportedly this was not Yilmaz C.’s first criminal act. He has a criminal record in the Netherlands, including a 2002 murder conviction and a 2018 incident where he intentionally hit pedestrians with his car.

His residence permit was revoked in 2021, and he continued living in the Netherlands illegally, reportedly seeking to benefit from the Dutch welfare system through staged crimes.

Long-term ban from Netherlands

Following his deportation, Yilmaz C. will be banned from re-entering the Netherlands for a period of 10 years. The victim’s son, Ralph de Backer, expressed his relief at the decision, stating that extending the prison term would only validate Yilmaz C.’s scheme to exploit the Dutch system.