Positive reactions to EBI court: transport of suspects is ‘perilous’

Mayor Van de Mortel of Vught is pleased that the Extra Secure Institution (EBI) will have its own courtroom. “This is extremely important for the safety of everyone involved in the transports. Not only in Vught, but also in the municipalities where the suspects are now being transported.”

Minister Weerwind for Legal Protection informed the House of Representatives this afternoon about the coming from the courtroom in the EI. Criminal proceedings will soon be able to take place partly within the prison, meaning that detainees will have to leave the premises less often.

Judges themselves can decide to hold hearings in Vught. Mayor Van de Mortel hopes that judges will try as many suspects as possible in the new courtroom on the EBI site. “In order to limit the number of transport movements. Moreover, it is a shame to set up a courtroom of 15 million and then not use it.”

According to the mayor, the arrival of the courtroom will save a lot of money. “Hundreds of people are involved in one transport. Then you can calculate approximately how much that will cost.”

From Mortar pleaded for a long time for a courtroom on the EBI site. “This is a category of suspects with whom you should not want to go out on the street. They will do everything they can to get out.” The EBI includes Ridouan Taghi and Willem Holleeder. Last September was already known that from this year it will be possible to have suspects of serious crimes participate in a court case via a video connection.

According to the mayor, road safety in Vught is also at risk due to the transports. The heavily secured cars go at high speed on a single-lane road past residential areas, two military barracks and the National Monument Camp Vught. “All residents and visitors have to cross the same street. And the column stops for nothing, which is dangerous,” says Van de Mortel.

The suspects are also picked up early in the morning and returned late in the evening, says Van de Mortel. “No one is waiting for a helicopter overhead at 6 a.m. And that happens several times a week.”

Karin van Tiel, manager at the IJzeren Man recreation park, is also positive about the decision to set up a courtroom on the EBI site. The Iron Man is on the route from the prison, so a transport passes by regularly. “For our visitors, who do not always know that there is an EBI next to it, that is a strange sensation.” Moreover, the six to eight cars are driving at a brisk pace, says Van Tiel. “They don’t stop, so you really pull over.”

It is not yet clear when the courtroom in Vught will be ready. It will be a small room where judges can hold pro forma hearings, for example.

Most court cases with a high security risk are heard in De Bunker, the highly secured court in Amsterdam-Osdorp. The transport of known criminals from the EBI to De Bunker is an operation that does not go unnoticed by residents of the Amsterdam district.

Simone Scholten lives a stone’s throw from the court in Osdorp. She holds her heart every time there is a court case of a top criminal. “Those cars drive very fast and with blaring sirens on the road. This is a busy neighborhood with many children. This will go wrong once.”

She says that sometimes it is quiet for months, but that during a criminal trial the motorcade sometimes passes three times every two weeks. “I hear from people who live even closer that it gives a scary feeling. Sometimes there are also soldiers outside the court. That feels unpleasant.”

Scholten thinks it is a good thing that trials of prisoners in Vught can soon take place there. “That is better in every way. Both for safety on the A2 and for the people here in the neighborhood.”

The cabinet has plans to move the heavily secured court in Amsterdam to Lelystad. The Bunker is outdated and its location in a residential area is not ideal. The new court must be located next to the prison in Lelystad, a place without homes in the immediate vicinity and with safe supply routes. It is still unclear when construction will start.