A court in the Netherlands has ruled that Bill Gates can stand trial in connection with a case involving seven individuals who were allegedly injured by COVID-19 vaccines. 

According to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, the case also includes former Prime Minister Mark Rutte, former Minister Hugo de Jonge, and members of the Dutch government's Outbreak Management Team, due to their roles in the country’s pandemic response. Gates was summoned to appear because his foundation was involved in combating the pandemic.

“Because Bill Gates’ foundation was involved in combating the corona pandemic, he has also been summoned,” De Telegraaf reported.

The lawsuit, filed in the District Court of Leeuwarden, was challenged by Gates, who argued that the court did not have jurisdiction over him. Gates is being represented by Pels Rijcken, one of the largest law firms in the Netherlands. During a September 18 hearing where Gates was absent, his attorneys argued that the court does not have jurisdiction because Gates resides in the United States. Despite these objections, the court ruled on October 16 that it does have jurisdiction over Gates.

The plaintiffs allege that Gates misled the public about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, claiming that he knew the injections "were not safe and effective." According to The Defender, independent Dutch journalist Erica Krikke explained that the plaintiffs “are ordinary Dutch people, and they have been jabbed and after the jabs they got sick.” One of the seven individuals, whose identities have been redacted in public documents, has since died after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

During a September 18 hearing, the plaintiffs made statements to the court. One of them, who is seriously ill, was represented by her father because she could no longer speak. The father explained that his daughter had been healthy prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine but became sick afterward and lost her ability to speak. He expressed his desire to “speak to Bill Gates directly” about his daughter’s condition.