Alleged crime boss Taghi rumored to have offered millions to assist in escape from Dutch prison
The justice system fears a violent attempt will be made to assist Ridouan Taghi’s escape from the Extra Secure Institution (EBI) in Vught. Taghi is rumored to already have made escape plans prior to his arrest in Dubai in 2019, De Telegraaf reported.
Taghi’s imprisonment was once again extended by the Council for the Application of Criminal Justice and Youth Protection (RSJ) in Spring. Lawyers of the infamous alleged organized crime leader tried to appeal the decision. Taghi is suspected of ordering multiple murders and assassination attempts in the Marengo process. The attorney for government’s star witness in that case, Nabil B., was a man named Derk Wiersum who was murdered in front of his home in Amsterdam in September 2019. A year earlier, B.’s brother was assassinated soon after the government announced Nabil B. was cooperating in the case.
Additionally, crime reporter Peter R. de Vries was assisting B. as a confidant. De Vries was shot in the head just last week and remains in critical condition.
A cousin of Taghi is said to be looking for people to carry out the escape plan, according to information from the Criminal Intelligence Team, the Telegraaf reported. “We would be looking for a mediator who will receive several tens of millions of euros for this”, the ruling by the RSJ stated. There was also said to be a tactical group to assist in the operation, possibly from the Balkans, with heavy weapons at their disposal.
According to De Telegraaf, Taghi is also said to have ordered an inquiry into whether a Dutch diplomat could be kidnapped in Africa to serve as ransom for his release. These allegations were seen as realistic and taken seriously by the investigative services.
Taghi’s lawyer, Inez Weski, responded to the accusations by saying that the RSJ is probably relying on “outdated rumors”. She said that, to date, there has been no evidence of plans to carry out an escape attempt.
A threat assessment was drawn up for the RSJ’s ruling based on information from the Criminal Intelligence Team (TCI). In the ruling it was stated that Taghi posed “an unacceptable social risk in the event of escaping” and the appeal by Taghi’s lawyer to release his client was rejected.
No inmate has ever escaped from the EBI where Taghi is being held.
