by Oui
Wed Sep 18th, 2019 at 12:37:45 PM EST
No words can express our grief when our democratic system is confronted with such a brutal murder.
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Killing of crown witness's lawyer Derk Wiersum shocks Amsterdam | Al Jazeera |
Derk Wiersum was the lawyer for Nabil Bakkali, a crown witness in a case against 16 men accused of five murders.
The killing of Wiersum, a father and long-time criminal lawyer in Amsterdam, has sent shockwaves through the city and its justice system.
Continued below the fold ...
Police said they were searching for a youth aged between 16 and 20, who ran away after the shooting, which took place shortly after 7:30am local time (05:30 GMT).
Bakkali is among those accused in the case, which is likely to go to trial next year, but has since 2017 provided police with over 1,500 pages of statements against the group in return for a lower sentence, preliminary court proceedings have shown.
His brother, who police say had nothing to do with the gang or the murders, was killed at his workplace last year, a week after justice authorities said Bakkali was their crown witness.
The prime suspect in the case is 41-year-old Ridouan Taghi, who remains at large. Through his lawyer, Taghi has denied all accusations.
Other suspects, 11 of whom are in custody, have remained silent throughout the case.
○ Utrecht top cop bribed by wanted criminal: report
○ Judicial blunder: Key witness' photo in files of all suspects around wanted fugitive
More on background ...
○ Why Ridouan Taghi is the most wanted criminal in the Netherlands
Prime suspect Taghi is most likely living in Dubai ... enjoying his wealth.
