Hundreds Mourn Man Who Died in Police Arrest

A Farewell Marked by Grief and Tradition
The funeral procession carried a quiet dignity. Goeloe's body was carried to the Zuiderbegraafplaats cemetery in a white hearse, drawn not by a car but by two pairs of horses, a traditional touch that added weight to an already heavy day. Behind the hearse walked his grieving relatives, visibly overcome with emotion as they made their way to the burial ground. Once there, a memorial service brought together family members, close friends, and other mourners, all gathered to share their final moments with him and say goodbye.

How the Arrest Unfolded
The circumstances leading up to Goeloe's death trace back to something almost mundane. He had just left a baby shower celebrating his unborn child and was riding off on his fatbike when police stopped him. Officers had received a report describing a man and woman, both around 40 years old, suspected of stealing a fatbike, and that's what led to his apprehension. What happened next changed everything: Goeloe became unwell during the arrest and later died. In the days that followed, tensions in the neighborhood boiled over. A silent march held the Monday after his death spiraled into confrontations, with riot police coming under attack and objects hurled at a nearby police station.

Calls for Justice, Not Violence
At the funeral itself, the mood was one of sorrow mixed with a plea for calm. Several mourners held up a banner addressed directly to politicians, the media, and government officials, asking them to help put an end to the unrest. Its message read, "Together for a safe Netherlands, every person counts." Speaking on behalf of the family, one relative made their position clear: "We want justice for our father. Not with violence, but in the court. I urge you to let this ceremony proceed peacefully." The moment turned even more emotional when Goeloe's eldest son took to the podium, delivering a heartfelt speech in which he directly accused police of causing his father's death.