Astrid Holleeder to testify against crime boss brother in court

Astrid Holleeder will testify in court against her criminal brother Willem, she said to KRO-NCRV program Brandpunt on Tuesday. The program asked her a number of questions via her publisher, NU.nl reports.

Astrid told her entire story in a recently published book, but until now she invoked her right to remain silent in court. Much to the irritation of both her brother and the Public Prosecutor. "She does not want to truth to come out in the open", Willem Holleeder previously said. "But now that she's written everything down, she must be brave enough to answer our questions." The Public Prosecutor also previously stated that they are not pleased about Astrid Holleeder publishing her story in a book, including a launch that generated a lot of media attention.

She told Brandpunt that testifying in court is one of her goals. "I'm pretty focused", Astrid said to the program. "As long as I have a goal, I'm in balance. And I have a goal. I want to stand in front of a judge and testify and I'm looking forward to that - finally! - happening in the coming months."

In her book, titled Judas, Astrid writes about how her brother terrorized, extorted and threatened their family for 30 years. She also talks about the massive impact the Heineken kidnapping had on the family. 

Willem Holleeder's sister is currently in hiding because she believes that Willem is trying to have her killed. Astrid travels around in an armored car and constantly wears a bulletproof vest, she said to Brandpunt.

Holleeder is standing trial for his involvement in multiple assassinations. He is being prosecuted for his role in the deaths of Cor van Hout in 2003, Willem Endstra in 2004, Kees Houtman and John Mieremet in 2005 and Thomas van der Bijl in 2006. He is also facing charges for an attempted assassination on Mieremet in 2002.

The court case against Holleeder, one of the most notorious crime bosses in the Netherlands, will continue on February 17th. A large part of the Public Prosecutor's case against him is based on testimony given by his two sisters and a former girlfriend. The Prosecutor also believes that Holleeder wants his sisters assassinated.