Fugitive convicted of helping father kidnap Amsterdam girl Insiya caught in Latvia
Erik S., previously convicted for his involvement in the abduction of 2-year-old Insiya Hemani, was arrested last week in Riga, Latvia, following a request from Dutch authorities. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) confirmed the arrest, after which the man was handed over to Dutch authorities, De Telegraaf reports.
Erik S. had earlier been sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the abduction of Insiya Hemani, a ruling confirmed on appeal. He was arrested following reports about his location in Latvia. Previously, he had been internationally wanted and remained a fugitive.
He belonged to a team that carried out the abduction on the instructions of Insiya’s father. The girl was taken via Germany to India, where she remains to this day.
On September 26, 2016, Insiya was kidnapped from her grandmother’s home in Amsterdam‑Oost. The court found Shehzad Hemani guilty of being the mastermind, sentencing him in absentia to more than eight years in prison. Hemani had hired attorneys to represent him during the original case, the appeal which affirmed the original ruling, and a hearing before the Supreme Court to demand a retrial, which was denied. Hemani is currently in India, that is refusing extradition.
His cousin, Imran S., was convicted in absentia and sentenced to four years in prison. Erik S. and Daniel C. were both given four-year jail terms. Robert B. was convicted and sentenced to three years behind bars for his role in the kidnapping, including the use of an electroshock weapon to pistol-whip the girl’s aunt when she tried to intervene, and to stun a neighbor who tried to help.
Willem V. received a year for his role, which included creating the plan. Huibert V., a former police officer, was convicted for conducting surveillance and alerted his co-conspirators when Nadiya Rashid left her daughter with the girl’s grandmother. He was sentenced to nine months in prison. Liz S. was given a four-week jail sentence and community service order.
Only Willem V. accepted the original court ruling without filing an appeal. The others were all convicted on appeal, with their sentences affirmed by the court.
“The court finds that this project-based nature contributes significantly to the seriousness and criminality of the facts: the kidnapping of a defenseless toddler as a project with a clear mission; the sterile planning and execution by people with a police and military background,” the District Court for Amsterdam wrote in the first verdict in the case.
The district court found it proven that Hemani was with S. and co-conspirator Daniel C. when the young girl was brought to Germany by car. S.’s daughter, Liz S., was also previously found guilty of involvement for driving another of the convicted kidnappers away from the Amsterdam-Oost crime scene.
The Court of Appeal noted that some of the suspects, including Erik S., had police or military experience. The court determined that this background was leveraged to carry out the 2016 abduction of 2-year-old Insiya in a more professional manner.
The Fugitive Active Search Team Netherlands (FASTNL) played a key role in the investigation that located S. in Latvia.
“I hope the other kidnappers are also held accountable, but my main concern is that the Netherlands is taking every step to bring Insiya safely home. Until she returns, this case isn’t over. What matters most to me is her safe return and the actions the Netherlands takes to make that happen," Nadia Rashid, Insiya's mother said. She has frequently requested help for the return of Insiya over the last 10 years.
