Willem Engel
Introduction

[thumb\|Willem Engel (2020\)](/wiki/File:WillemEngelSept2020.jpg "WillemEngelSept2020.jpg")

**Willem Christiaan Engel** (born 15 March 1977\) is a Dutch [activist](/wiki/Activism "Activism") who founded the [controversial](/wiki/Controversy "Controversy") organization *Viruswaanzin* (loosely translated: *Virus Madness*), and leads it under its new name *Viruswaarheid* (loosely translated: *Virus Truth*). The organization regularly protests against governmental measures on [COVID\-19](/wiki/COVID-19 "COVID-19") and also often promotes alternative theories (about COVID\-19\). He for example believes that reported cases and risks of the [COVID\-19 pandemic in the Netherlands](/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_the_Netherlands "COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands") have been exaggerated, and the theory that measures against the spread of the [SARS\-CoV\-2](/wiki/Severe_acute_respiratory_syndrome_coronavirus_2 "Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2") are used to restrict fundamental rights. He is also against vaccination against COVID\-19 and believes the SARS‑CoV‑2 escaped from a lab in [Wuhan](/wiki/Wuhan "Wuhan"). In March 2022, Engel was arrested for [incitement](/wiki/Incitement "Incitement") after nearly 23\.000 people had pressed charges of inciting violence, spreading medical [misinformation](/wiki/Misinformation "Misinformation"), [fraud](/wiki/Fraud "Fraud"), making statements with [terrorist](/wiki/Terrorism "Terrorism") intent, and threats. While released under the restriction of no social media interaction at 30 March, at 3 April he was arrested again because he breached the terms of his release.

On 20 January 2023 he was convicted of inciting breaking the law (he urged people to attend a forbidden demonstration). His sentence was one month imprisonment, with deduction of time served. The sentence is probationary for 2 years and suspended.


What organization did he found?