The Dutch Public Prosecution Service announced on 25 March that it intends to aggressively prosecute any corona-related crimes. These include crimes such as threatening to infect others with corona (e.g. by sneezing or spitting on them), corona-related scams or fraud, resistance against police trying to enforce social-distancing laws or incitement of the public through spreading fake news.  

The Public Prosecution Service has indicated that, as a general rule, it will seek unconditional prison sentences for such corona-crimes (rather than fines or community service). Defendants will, where possible, be tried through super-expedited proceedings (supersnelrecht), which means that the case will be brought before a judge within 3 days (or 14 days where further investigation is required).  

There have already been a number of cases, in which the courts have issued prison sentences (of up to 10 weeks) to persons who, while claiming to have corona, have intentionally spat at police offers.   

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