Prosecutors appeal for stricter sentences in slaying of journalist Peter R. de Vries

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) is filing an appeal regarding all nine men suspected of involvement in the execution-style murder of Peter R. de Vries. The OM said the seven men convicted in the shooting were given sentences which were too light. The office has also appealed against the acquittals of the other two men.

Delano G. was convicted of shooting De Vries near Leidseplein in the center of Amsterdam on July 6, 2021, after he appeared on an episode of RTL Boulevard. The 64-year-old journalist died nine days later. The OM said the motive was because De Vries had worked with the prosecution's key witness in the trial against organized crime boss Ridouan Taghi, and the perpetrators wanted to cause fear among the public and to send a clear signal of what happens when taking a stand against organized crime.

Kamil E. was convicted of driving G. away from the scene, and Krystian M. was convicted of orchestrating the murder plot. G. and E. were given 28-year sentences, and M. was ordered to serve 26 years behind bars. Prosecutors wanted all three to spend life in prison.

The OM had also called for 21-year prison terms against Gerower M. and Erickson O., but both were given a decade in prison by the court. The two were accused of filming De Vries wounded on the street and distributing the footage on social media with terrorist intent, but the court said that their complicity in the crime was proven but not their desire to undermine society.

Konrad W. was convicted of participating in the reporter's murder after the OM accused him of providing firearms, a getaway car, and materials to destroy the car in a fire. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, when the OM wanted him jailed for 17 years.

Meanwhile, Lugardo S. was accused of plotting a murder with terrorist intent and participation in a criminal organization. After crying in court and denying his involvement, he was acquitted of involvement in the murder, but convicted in a drug crime and sentenced to four weeks in jail. The OM wanted him in prison for 14 years.

The OM wanted Divainy K. jailed for 8 years and 4 months, and Christopher W. imprisoned for 3 years. The latter was already arrested in a separate crime before he could take part in the murder plot, the court said. K. was accused of preparatory acts in the planning stages of the murder.

The Dutch legal system allows both prosecutors and defendants to file an appeal if they dispute the verdict or sentencing. Typically, an appeal has to be filed within 14 days after the verdict has been read in court.