Suspect in fatal Diemen fire confesses to arson

One of the suspects in the case around a fatal fire in a Diemen apartment building last year, confessed to being one of the arsonists, prosecutor Rob Kroos revealed in an introductory hearing for one of the other suspects on Tuesday, Het Parool reports.

27-year-old student David Swart was killed in the fire on Rode Kruislaan in July last year. A fire broke out in a flat on one of the lower floors during the early hours of July 19th and smoke quickly spread through the building. Two other residents were seriously injured.

After investigation, the police arrested three suspects, 24-year-old Gilermo I., his 23-year-old sister Simona I., and 26-year-old Rachied V. The police believe they set the fire to commit insurance fraud. Simona I. took out fire insurance shortly before the fire, and submitted a claim a day after the fire. According to the Public Prosecutor, a number of Simona's valuable possessions were not in her house when the fire broke out.

Gilermo I. confessed to being one of the arsonists. He gave this confession in November, also expressing his regret. According to him, the matter got completely out of hand.

His lawyer, Christian Flokstra, confirmed to Het Parool that I. confessed. "He will give more openness at a later time."