Laurens Buijs, the former lecturer of the University of Amsterdam, was arrested at his Amsterdam home on February 10, 2025. The arrest followed numerous allegations of slander, defamation, doxing, and incitement made against him by various institutions, including the UvA and OLVG. Reports confirm he spent three nights behind bars following his apprehension.
Buijs, who was implicated due to increasingly troubling online statements and actions directed at university staff and fellow academics, was under investigation for potentially crossing legal lines with his social media activity. Complaints against him escalated as he seemingly lashed out at individuals involved with the university and hospitals, labeling them as "criminal psychopaths" and alleging they manipulated his career.
"I was arrested at my house with overwhelming police presence, and I had nothing with me; no clothes, no phone, no belongings. I was put in isolation for four days," Buijs recounted during his interview with fellow political figure Max van den Berg shortly after his release.
Lengthy investigations unveiled Buijs's tumultuous history at the UvA, where he had once worked as a social scientist specializing in gender studies from 2006 until 2023, when his employment was abruptly terminated due to threatening communications sent via email and telephone to colleagues. Buijs claimed at the time his dismissal was part of the university's so-called 'woke culture' suppressing academic freedom. During legal proceedings, he argued for reinstatement, but external reviews failed to substantiate his claims of discrimination within the institution.
Despite his assertions, the situation surrounding Buijs escalated as his behavior continued to raise alarms within educational and medical institutions. Following various complaints highlighting his social media attacks, the UvA, OLVG, and other organizations filed formal allegations leading to his arrest. Under the stipulations set during his court appearance, Buijs is now subject to strict conditions including mandatory reporting to authorities, enrollment in mental health programs, and restrictions on contacting six specified individuals.
Authorities have claimed his online expressions caused sanctions across several platforms, resulting from repeated violations of policies against hate speech. On some platforms, Buijs’s content included not just accusations against individuals but direct calls to action against them, where he urged his followers to tackle the so-called "creeps" he accused of conspiring against him. Evidence suggests these provocative statements contributed significantly to his legal troubles.
After being released, Buijs spoke about how he felt targeted, stating, "They distorted the reality" and claimed to be made the scapegoat by the UvA. He described his isolation and subsequent challenges as both physically and mentally taxing. He acknowledged crossing boundaries with personal attacks against colleagues, calling it a defensive mechanism against what he perceived as harassment from those he branded as adversaries.
The situation reflects broader societal issues surrounding freedom of speech, academic environments, and the consequences of unchecked online rhetoric. Buijs's story has not only raised questions about individual conduct within academic settings but also how institutions manage discontent and allegations of misconduct.
Professionally, Buijs now faces significant challenges, with his academic credentials tarnished and reputational damage from this incident. Legal proceedings will determine the next steps, as lawmakers and legal officials continue to assess the scope of his actions and corresponding penalties.
While Buijs publicly expresses dissatisfaction with the handling of his situation, it marks not just the downfall of his academic career but starkly reflects on insidious reputations built through online interactions. This confrontation invites reflection not only on Buijs's responses but on larger frameworks governing interactions within academic settings, especially as they increasingly overlap with social media involvements.