Rotterdam councilor ordered to retract statements about entrepreneur

A Rotterdam city councilor, Kevin van Eikeren of the PRO party, has been ordered by a court to issue a formal rectification regarding statements made about entrepreneur and amusement park owner Wim Beelen.

In previous media appearances, including a radio interview and a YouTube video, Van Eikeren labeled Beelen a “hardcore speculator” and accused him of attempting to bribe political parties with donations. He also claimed Beelen intended to build expensive housing on the amusement park site after his lease expires in 2030.

The judge ruled these statements were unlawful and lacked factual substantiation, noting there was no evidence Beelen planned to build housing on the land. While Beelen sought a ban on future unsubstantiated claims and significant financial penalties, the court declined these specific requests to avoid hindering public debate. Van Eikeren must post the rectification on his Instagram and LinkedIn channels within 72 hours and has indicated intentions to appeal.