Politician killer's psych treatment a "sales pitch" for Minister

The psychiatric treatment Volkert van der Graaf was given for killing politician Pim Fortuyn, was only a sales pitch directed at politicians, according to Advocate General Hans Pieters in a secretly recorded conversation with Van der Graaf, the Volkskrant reports. The secret recording was revealed during a hearing on whether or not Van der Graaf still requires psychiatric treatment on Monday. In February a court in The Hague ruled that he does not. The Public Prosecutor appealed. In the recording, Pieters twice confirms that the psychiatric treatment was a sales pitch directed at politicians, the State Secretary and the Minister. A second Advocate General told Van der Graaf that the psychiatric care can be reduced "because it does not contribute anything." The Public Prosecutor would not comment to NOS or the Volkskrant on the matter. Van der Graaf was released in 2014 after serving two thirds of an 18 year prison sentence he got for murdering politician Pim Fortuyn. His release was subject to strict conditions, including mandatory psychiatric treatment. On Monday the court recommended a form of mediation in this case. If that fails, the trial will continue on July 4th, according to NOS.