Jan 9, 2024 at 12:36 Update: 26 minutes ago
The chance that Willem Holleeder will ever step outside prison again seems to have disappeared. The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that the sentence can be upheld for life and is therefore final.
The 65-year-old Holleeder was found guilty by both the court (2019) and the court of appeal (2022) of ordering five murders, aggravated assault and membership of a criminal organization.
Holleeder gained national fame for his role in the kidnapping of Freddy Heineken in 1983. Together with one of his later victims and co-kidnapper Cor van Hout, he received eleven years in prison for this.
In 2007, Holleeder was sentenced to nine years in prison for extorting businessman Willem Endstra, among others. That man was shot dead in front of his office in Amsterdam in 2004, on behalf of Holleeder.
Holleeder has always denied this liquidation. Just like the murders of John Mieremet (2005), Kees Houtman (2005) and Thomas van der Bijl (2006) and the manslaughter of Robert ter Haak (2003).
Statements from Holleeder sisters and ex-girlfriend are crucial
His sisters Sonja and Astrid and his ex-girlfriend Sandra den Hartog were important witnesses against Holleeder. Just like two key witnesses. According to the court, their statements are reliable and the Supreme Court sees no reason to deviate from them.
The argument of Holleeder’s lawyers that a life sentence is contrary to the prohibition of inhuman treatment or punishment is also not accepted.
The court ruled that Holleeder made decisions about life and death in a “cold and unscrupulous manner”. The murders were motivated by financial motives or to ensure that no one else could take revenge on him or talk to the police. Therefore, a life sentence was appropriate and the Supreme Court finds this decision sufficiently motivated.
Holleeder can still choose to go to the European Court of Human Rights. There is also the option to request a reassessment after 25 years in prison. The Advisory Board for Life Prisoners must then advise the Minister for Legal Protection as to whether a life sentence prisoner can possibly return to society.
2024-01-09 11:36:37
#Willem #Holleeders #sentence #life #prison #final #Domestic
