What REALLY Happened To The iHostage Attacker?

The Dutch crime thriller titled “iHostage” recounts an actual terror at an Amsterdam Apple Store, where the authorities and viewers alike strive to comprehend Ammar Ajar’s (Soufine Moussouli) intentions, while simultaneously seeking a solution for Ilian (Admir Sehovic) and other captives to securely escape. Directed by Bobby Boermans, “iHostage” narrates the true events of the 2022 Apple Store incident in Amsterdam, where an armed man invaded the store, seizing a Bulgarian customer named Ilian Petrov as his hostage. However, it turns out that there are four additional individuals hiding in a closet who remain unbeknownst to both Ammar Ajar and Ilian.

Simultaneously, the Amsterdam police force is working diligently with negotiators, bomb specialists, and others to avert a potential explosion by Ammar (who allegedly has explosives strapped to him). Their goal is twofold: prevent Ammar from detonating the area, and rescue Ilian, as well as the four individuals in the closet and those who sought refuge in the cafeteria above the store. In a remarkable turn of events, Ilian uses his quick wit to escape, thereby also saving the people hiding in the closet.

What Did Ammar Really Want In iHostage?

Ammar Has Some Very Specific Demands

In a situation at the Apple Store on Leidseplein, Amsterdam, Ammar Ajar brandishes a weapon and terrifies both customers and staff. Yet, thanks to quick thinking, several individuals successfully flee or take refuge in the store’s cafeteria upstairs and an employee’s closet. The only person still inside is Ilian, who becomes Ammar’s hostage. Eventually, Ammar contacts the Amsterdam police, requesting a negotiator. Consequently, the police send a team headed by Lynn (Loes Haverkort). Lynn strives to establish trust with Ammar, but it proves challenging.

At an Apple Store in Amsterdam’s Leidseplein, Ammar Ajar scares customers and employees using a gun. Some people escape or hide upstairs in the cafeteria or an employee’s closet. Ilian is left as the hostage. Afterward, Ammar calls the police for a negotiator, and Lynn (Loes Haverkort) is brought in to help. However, it’s tough for her to build trust with Ammar.

Ammar insists on receiving 200 million euros in cryptocurrency and a safe journey as his means of escape, later describing this as a secure departure from the shop and a vehicle to transport him great distances. He intends to bring Ilian along and free him once they are out of reach, confident that the authorities have stopped pursuing them. However, despite Lynn’s efforts to understand his intentions, he remains tight-lipped about the specific events that prompted the store attack. What Ammar does disclose is a sense of betrayal by Amsterdam’s legal system and police force, but the details remain obscure.

In the movie, it’s disclosed that Ammar has a background with criminal charges and mental health issues, but the film doesn’t delve deeply into these aspects. The police, however, are unable to fulfill Ammar’s demand for cryptocurrency or a limousine for his peaceful departure. Their main focus is on rescuing Ilian and others quickly, while also preventing Ammar from possibly detonating the building, although it turns out the explosives were a fake threat.

How Ilian Escapes At The End Of iHostage

Ilian Sees The Chance & Takes It

In the unfathomable twist of fate, I find myself ensnared in a precarious predicament within the confines of “iHostage”. A moment’s oversight – my AirPods left behind on a train – led me to seek refuge at an Apple Store, only to be unwittingly entangled in Ammar’s web of turmoil.

Throughout this harrowing ordeal, I endeavored to maintain an air of composure, even attempting to engage in dialogue with Ammar to prevent any potential harm. However, Ammar’s behavior was as unpredictable as a tempest, oscillating between acts of kindness – such as assisting me with my medication – and renewed threats should I dare to utter another word.

Eventually, Ilian’s patience runs out when he overhears Ammar request a limousine from the negotiator for a safe departure. In a heated moment, Ilian angrily expresses in Bulgarian that he asks for water, not a luxury car. After some persuasion, Ilian manages to convince Ammar to ask for water instead, as his heart condition prevents him from consuming energy drinks. Eventually, Ammar makes the request and the police deliver bottled water to the store’s entrance via a robot, with Ammar insisting that Ilian accept the water while keeping his hands bound behind him.

In a different phrasing: Upon realizing Ammar couldn’t grab the water bottles using only his knees, Ilian makes a dash for the opposite side of the street, seeking refuge where the police could protect him. Taken aback but safe now, Ilian is taken to his hotel the following morning. Once there, he utilizes his new AirPods, implying that he calls his wife, and, overwhelmed by the ordeal of the previous night, breaks down in tears.

What Happens To Ammar At The End Of iHostage

Ammar’s Ending Is Surprising

In the scene, Ilian makes a hasty exit, prompting Ammar to chase him, carelessly leaving his weapon within the store. However, Ammar fails to catch up with Ilian, and upon exiting the store, the law enforcement swiftly intervenes. Notably, one officer demonstrates exceptional quickness. Meanwhile, Winston (Louis Talpe), along with his partner, positioned nearby in their vehicle, rushes towards Ammar, striking him with the car. Ammar sustains severe injuries. Given the uncertainty about the authenticity of the explosives Ammar is wearing, the police exercise caution, summoning bomb experts to inspect the situation after a brief pause, to determine if the explosives detonate or if Ammar regains consciousness.

After confirming that the explosives were fake, Ammar is escorted to the hospital due to the gravity of his wounds. As the series iHostage concludes, it’s disclosed that Ammar passed away at the hospital the following morning. Despite investigations, the police remained baffled by the true intentions behind his assault.

How Mingus & The Rest Of The Hostages Escape In iHostage

Mingus Is Key To Saving Many People In iHostage

Instead of fleeing upstairs to seek safety in the cafeteria, Apple Store employee Mingus (Emmanuel Ohene Boafo) guides his customer Lucas (Robin Boissevain), along with Soof (Fockeline Ouwerkerk) and her daughter Bente (Roosmarijn van der Hoek), to hide in the nearest staff storage room. Because of Mingus’ employee access card, Ammar is unable to enter the room, remaining oblivious that they are hiding there throughout the ordeal.

Mingus borrows Bente’s phone to summon the authorities for assistance. One policeman directs them on appropriate actions and precautions. Mingus plays a crucial role in rescuing the café’s patrons, offering guidance on how to enter without alerting Ammar, and later instructed to signal the others to hide when he gives the command, ensuring they remain unharmed. The police will signal it’s safe for Mingus and the rest to emerge by using the secret word “iHostage”.

After Ammar is driven to the hospital, the police come to the closet’s door and share a secret phrase to allow them to leave. Meanwhile, an officer who had been guiding Mingus approaches him outside to express gratitude for safeguarding Lucas, Soof, and Bente, as well as assisting in the rescue of those in the cafeteria. Mingus embraces this officer, and upon entering the police vehicle that will take him home, he sheds tears of relief.

iHostage True Story: What Happened After The Apple Store Hostage Crisis In Real Life

The Apple Store Amsterdam Incident Happened On February 22, 2022

In line with what was previously stated, the film iHostage is loosely based on real events, particularly the Apple Store standoff in Amsterdam that occurred on February 22, 2022. Similar to the movie’s narrative, an individual named Abdel Rahman Akkad, armed with weapons and explosives, took a Bulgarian man hostage while other customers fled to the upper level (as reported by Het Parool via Time)). Akkad made a ransom demand of 200 million euros in cryptocurrency and safe passage, but the reasons behind his actions remained unspecified. Throughout the incident, he even sent selfies to the local media.

In a scene similar to a movie, when Akkad requested water from the police and it arrived, even by a robot, a Bulgarian man grabbed the bottles and swiftly left. Akkad chased after him, but unfortunately, he was struck by a police vehicle and fell unconscious on the street. Later, it was discovered that Akkad had no real explosives, and he was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the day after.

The portrayal in iHostage remains faithful to the actual Apple Store incident in Amsterdam, incorporating a few artistic adjustments to heighten suspense.

2025-04-23 01:29