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Netflix’s iHostage: The shocking true story you need to know – streaming now

BBG News

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for exciting narratives, especially those adapted into Netflix series. But it’s usually historical events from centuries ago that grab the spotlight. However, something different is brewing with the upcoming thriller iHostage. Directed by Bobby Boermans and penned by Simon de Waal, this gripping tale revolves around a hostage crisis that unfolded much more recently in Amsterdam – a refreshing take on contemporary drama.

As a gamer, I found myself in a real-life thriller when a fellow named Ammar Ajar, hailing from the Netherlands, boldly stormed an Amsterdam Apple store, setting a ransom of a whopping $200 million (in digital currency) and requesting clear passage out of the city. A Bulgarian tourist unfortunately became his main captive as police and Apple store workers pulled together, putting in maximum effort to ensure everyone’s safety.

Boermans recently shared with Time magazine about his personal connection to the true events that sparked the creation of “iHostage” and how he resides close to the relevant Apple store.

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Luckily, hostage crises such as this are uncommon in the Netherlands. What made this situation peculiar was that it occurred. In the middle of a bustling square in Amsterdam, a man, with a ransom demand of 200 million in cryptocurrency, decided to take a hostage during daylight hours.

During an exclusive chat with TUDUM, Boermans delved deeper into the topic, revealing he leveraged his contacts to uncover details about the events of that critical day.

As a curious gamer, I pondered about the mystery that unfolded within the game’s store, just like writer de Waal. Since my friend Simon happens to be a detective in Amsterdam, he was well-equipped to delve deeper into this enigma, with a vast network of contacts and resources at his disposal.

Boermans explained, “We delved into the matter and unveiled various aspects such as the police’s communication with those concealed in the closet, Apple stepping in before the lights went out, the effects of these events on the law enforcement personnel, and more.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the true story behind Netflix’s iHostage.

Netflix’s iHostage true story explained

As a devoted follower, let me point out that from now on, Boermans has opted to use pseudonyms for all parties involved, in order to respect their confidentiality and privacy.

On February 22, 2022, a 27-year-old man named Abdel Rahman Akkad drove a supermarket delivery truck to Amsterdam’s Leidseplein square and went into an Apple Store. He was dressed in camouflage and falsely claimed he had a bomb vest that would detonate. The police later found out this wasn’t true, but Akkad did have two firearms with him.

At approximately 5:30 pm, Akkad walked into the specified store and captured a 44-year-old man from Bulgaria. Other patrons attempted to conceal themselves, including those on upper levels, who were now stuck due to the ongoing situation below. Unbeknownst to Akkad, four individuals were hiding in a closet during this incident, much like in Boermans’s film portrayal.

10 minutes into the event, law enforcement showed up and encountered around four rounds of gunfire. The location was swiftly cordoned off, and employees from neighboring businesses were hastily evacuated due to concerns about potential dangerous substances.

Over the course of those long hours, I watched as authorities managed to save around 70 souls trapped within that building. Meanwhile, my captor, Akkad, casually snapped a selfie with his Bulgarian hostage and forwarded it to AT5 – a local news channel – as he patiently waited for the ransom money and a safe exit from Amsterdam.

Yes, that selfie really did happen, just like in the movie as well.

After approximately five hours of lengthy discussions that likely seemed never-ending, Akkad requested water from the police. Employing a robot, they brought the water to the hostage positioned at the store entrance. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Bulgarian man made a run for it, exiting the premises. However, the gunman swiftly pursued him outside.

During a chase involving his hostage, Akkad was struck by a vehicle from a special police unit, causing him to lose consciousness and ultimately ending this five-hour incident. Images and videos of him lying outside the scene quickly spread across social media. It was later discovered that Akkad had an explosive device on him, but it hadn’t been set off.

To The Guardian, police chief Frank Paauw described the incident: “The special forces car responded swiftly and appropriately. Remarkably, the hostage took charge of the situation and managed to escape within a matter of moments. Had he not done so, the ordeal would have lasted longer and been more distressing.

Previously, Akkad has faced police scrutiny regarding illegal weapon possession. However, it’s important to note that he wasn’t just involved in this incident. He was previously convicted for physically attacking his former girlfriend. The consequences included 60 hours of community service, a month on probation, and a three-year restraining order.

In the end, Akkad tragically lost his life at the hospital due to injuries caused by a collision with a police car. There were no further injuries reported during that event.

In simpler terms, the reason for the hostage-taking was never explicitly revealed, as stated by iHostage in their conclusion.

In the film, the Bulgarian character, referred to as Ilian, was later celebrated as a hero by local news outlets, even though he requested anonymity for any subsequent reports about him.

Have there been any insights gained from the actual incidents that inspired the story of iHostage over the past few years?

In the interview he had with Time magazine, Boermans expressed his wish that this movie would initiate a crucial conversation about the growing population of people struggling with mental health issues who reside on the streets.

As a gamer, I often see folks in my gaming community who are struggling – facing financial hardships or dealing with mental health issues. Sadly, it seems like they’re slipping through the cracks when it comes to getting help from our public healthcare system.

Some people may have previously received aid before they were driven to commit such appalling acts. It’s truly sad, and I hope that our governments will devote more attention, effort, and funding towards enhancing our public health infrastructure.

iHostage is now available to watch on Netflix.

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2025-04-22 13:49

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