Tarik Z, the 20-year-old science student who forced his way into the Nos television studios with a fake gun at the end of January was jailed for three years and four months, two years suspended, by appeal court judges in Leeuwarden on Tuesday.

He had been sentenced to 15 months actual jail time at his original trial in July.  The appeal court also ordered a three year probationary period, banning him from the media park in Hilversum on his release.

Z had forced his way into the Nos studios in Hilversum armed with a fake gun and took a security guard hostage. The youth, who gave himself up when ordered to by police, had demanded access to airtime on the 20.00 hours news bulletin.

The Nos studios were evacuated for several hours as police searched the building after the youngster was overpowered. The actual incident lasted around 10 minutes.

During a procedural hearing in May, Z said he wanted the airtime to warn the population about ‘the foundations of the current monetary system’ and about ‘large-scale manipulation by the Nos’.

At the appeal court hearing Z said his actions had not been clever and said he wanted to continue his studies.

The appeal judges said in their ruling it is important that Z remains in contact with normal society. Locking him up for longer could have a damaging effect on his future, the Telegraaf quoted the judges as saying.