THE HAGUE: The trial started on Tuesday of 9 suspects in the murder of high-profile Dutch crime reporter Peter R. de Vries, whose killing stunned the Netherlands and spotlighted the drug gang underworld in the country.
De Vries, 64, was shot in the head on a busy street in Amsterdam in July 2021, shortly after leaving a TV studio where he was appearing as a guest.
Authorities believe gang leaders ordered his killing due to his role as adviser to a key witness in the case of alleged drugs baron Ridouan Taghi, who was apprehended in Dubai in 2019, according to AFP.
Two suspects, identified only as Dutch man Delano G. and Kamil E. from Poland, were detained shortly after the murder. Prosecutors have demanded for them to serve a life sentence.
Prosecutors believe Delano G. pulled the trigger and Kamil E. drove the getaway car and carried out surveillance prior to the shooting.
New information in trial
Just before the ruling against the two, new information emerged that prompted judges to reopen the case.
7 men suspected of organising and facilitating the murder have been added to the trial, in addition to Kamil E and Delano G.
