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AMSTERDAM — Suspects accused of involvement within the deadly 2021 capturing in Amsterdam of distinguished Dutch investigative reporter Peter R. de Vries repeatedly refused to reply questions from judges and legal professionals as their trial opened Tuesday with judges displaying video of the assault and the fatally wounded journalist.
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Among the many 9 suspects is Delano G., who’s accused of gunning down De Vries in broad daylight on July 6, 2021. Below Dutch privateness regulation, suspects are recognized solely by their first title and the primary preliminary of their household title.
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De Vries, a preferred reporter and tv presenter, died 9 days later of his accidents, at age 64.
His slaying despatched shock waves via the Netherlands and triggered an outpouring of grief. Dutch King Willem-Alexander known as it “an assault on journalism, the cornerstone of our constitutional state and due to this fact additionally an assault on the rule of regulation.”
His son and daughter, Royce and Kelly de Vries, had been in courtroom Tuesday to look at the proceedings.
They appeared away as a video was proven of their father laying on a avenue in Amsterdam after he was shot. Different movies confirmed de Vries being adopted earlier than the capturing.
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The choose additionally learn out textual content messages police allege had been despatched between suspects earlier than and after the capturing.
One of many messages requested what number of occasions de Vries was shot. A response learn: “4 or 5 occasions. He’s asleep, don’t fear.”
Prosecutors allege that two of the folks standing trial had been concerned in filming the stricken journalist and posting the pictures on-line to amplify the shock brought on by the capturing.
De Vries had been an adviser and confidant for a protected witness within the trial of the alleged chief and different members of against the law gang that police described as an “oiled killing machine.” The brother and lawyer of the witness had been additionally murdered. A verdict in that trial had been deliberate for subsequent month, however additional hearings will possible delay it. The important thing defendant is alleged gangster Ridouan Taghi, as soon as one of many Netherlands’ most-wanted fugitives till his 2019 arrest in Dubai.
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Prosecutors haven’t charged anyone with directing de Vries’ killing.
“The truth that the one that ordered the killing will not be recognized and isn’t on trial right here naturally hangs like a shadow over this trial,” Annemiek van Spanje, a lawyer for the household, informed The Related Press.
The trial opened Tuesday in a packed, closely guarded courtroom on the sting of Amsterdam, with armed police in physique armor and ski masks patrolling the streets exterior as automobiles carrying the suspects swept into the courtroom’s underground parking zone.
A few of the defendants denied any involvement within the assassination whereas others asserted their proper to stay silent. One after one other, they took an oath to inform the reality in courtroom earlier than refusing to reply questions.
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The alleged shooter was arrested lower than an hour after the assault, together with a Polish nationwide recognized as Kamil E. who was the alleged getaway driver. Prosecutors informed judges at Amsterdam District Court docket that the weapon used to shoot de Vries was discovered of their automotive.
The 2 suspects went on trial in 2022 and prosecutors demanded life sentences. Nevertheless, the courtroom by no means delivered verdicts as a result of prosecutors launched new proof late within the case, following a string of arrests. The pair are actually on trial together with seven different suspects arrested within the weeks and months after the slaying, all accused of involvement in planning and execution of the capturing.
The trial is scheduled to run till the tip of February. Verdicts will possible be introduced weeks later.
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