Suspect of drowning in Ghent to be prosecuted for extortion in the Netherlands

One of the two Dutch suspects in the case surrounding the drowning of 53-year-old Hakim Mutyaba during the Gentse Feesten event in 2022 is being held in the Netherlands on suspicion of extortion by association. The 24-year-old Ricardo de V. from Goes will remain imprisoned for 14 days longer, the council chamber of the court in Breda decided on Tuesday.

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) suspects him, along with, another suspect, of extortion. De V. is in full restrictions, said a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service in Breda. This means that he is only allowed to have contact with his lawyer.

The court in Ghent, Belgium, wanted to treat the case regarding Mutyaba’s drowning on Monday, but because De V. was arrested recently in the Netherlands, the hearing could not proceed. The treatment of the case has been delayed to November 18.

It was not yet known why De V. had been arrested in the Netherlands. A court spokesperson said that the council chamber will decide again in two weeks on the pre-trial detention of the man from Goes. She added that the probation service is writing a report on the possibility of suspending his pre-trial detention. He would then be released.

The court in Ghent has asked for De V.'s extradition. He is being prosecuted in Gent for hitting and the unintentional death of Mutyaba, a father of two who could not swim. De V. allegedly pushed him over the railing of a bridge into the water.

The 26-year-old co-defendant is said to have watched and is accused of not offering help. He is being prosecuted for negligence.