Court wants multiple witnesses to testify in case around defense lawyer Wiersum’s murder
Certain witnesses still need to be heard in the appeal concerning the facilitation of the murder of lawyer Derk Wiersum before the case can be dealt with on the merits. The main suspect in the criminal case is Anouar T., a relative of Ridouan Taghi. T. was sentenced to 26 years in prison by the Amsterdam court earlier this year for his leading role in the murder of Wiersum.
The Amsterdam Court of Appeal discussed the investigation requests of the suspects and the Public Prosecution Service in a so-called preliminary hearing on Wednesday. T.’s situation was also discussed. He is currently without a lawyer and wants to conduct his own defense but is obstructed in many ways in prison.
For example, he has no access to the internet, which means that he cannot search for legal information. The president of the court would like for the suspect to be able to consult with a lawyer at least. The Legal Aid Board has been asked to assign a lawyer. It is not yet clear when that will happen.
Wiersum was fatally shot on September 18, 2019, in Buitenveldert, Amsterdam. The court says that the murder cannot be separated from his role as the lawyer of the crown witness in the Marengo trial concerning crime boss Ridouan Taghi. He is not a suspect in this case, in the Marengo trial, he was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court. That case is currently also on appeal.
The two shooters in the Wiersum case have already been sentenced to 30 years in prison after an appeal. Ten men were tried in court for facilitating the murder, including by stealing cars used by the shooters and by conducting preliminary reconnaissance at the lawyer's office and home. The appeal of six of them was on the agenda on Wednesday.
The court decided, among other things, that they could be heard as witnesses in each other's case. Several lawyers requested that parts of the extensive case be split off, but that request was not granted.
Krystian M., a 29-year-old who is a suspect in the murder of Peter R. de Vries, is also a suspect in this case. He was sentenced to 47 months in prison by the court, but this was for assaulting a man in October 2019 and not in connection with the murder of Wiersum.
Reporting by ANP