:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/f52145da-8b14-11eb-b431-0255c322e81b.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 "Taghi: crown witness is liar and fantasist | Inland")
Anyone who expected him to respond extensively to the laundry list of suspicions against him was disappointed on Monday morning. “For the time being I have nothing to report,” said Taghi. His example was followed by almost all fifteen other suspects in the room. Except for Mohamed Razzouki, the brother of Taghi’s right-hand man Saïd. This erupted in a furious tirade against the Public Prosecution Service that he accused of wanting to convict him at all costs.
“I think the accusations are appalling. I have nothing to do with murders and a criminal organization. ” According to Mo Razzouki, star witness Nabil B. lies “that he is bursting”, but the Public Prosecution Service keeps his hand above his head. “Because I have to hang. The Public Prosecution Service is doing everything about it. ”
‘Nabil B. is a pathological liar and a fantasist’
Ridouan Taghi calls star witness Nabil B. “a pathological liar and a fantasist.” “He has delusions of grandeur,” he said at the end of the first day of the substantive treatment of the extensive trial. B. responded that he liked that Taghi recognized a pathological liar.
Taghi denied that he gave orders to B. The crown witness acknowledged that no “direct assignments” took place, but indirectly. “It was clear who it was.” Taghi is suspected of multiple murder assignments. He showed himself for the first time in court on Monday, he was not present at the preliminary hearings.
“I don’t see any evidence,” said Taghi. According to him, B. has become “an oracle”. He emphasized that B.’s direct contacts were almost entirely limited to the suspects Saïd and Mohamed R.
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‘Thrown to the Lions Like Raw Meat’
Razzouki accused the Public Prosecutor of “throwing lawyers to the lions like raw meat.” He is referring to the shadowing by the judicial authorities of the lawyers Nico Meijering and Leon van Kleef. The Public Prosecution thought that they would meet with Ridouan Taghi, who was the most wanted criminal at the time. That turned out not to be the case.
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Lawyers Nico Meijering (L) and Inez Weski arrive at the bunker, prior to the first preliminary hearing in the Marengo trial.
Ⓒ ANP
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The OM did not confess the shadow operation itself, but only admitted that it had happened after publications in the Algemeen Dagblad.
Mohamed Razzouki is on trial together with his two brothers in the Marengo trial. His brother Saïd is still in extradition detention in Colombia. He is said to have been Taghi’s right hand man. Brother Zaki R. is therefore sure: “I am only on the suspect bank because of my last name.”
Afraid his voice will turn up
Ridouan Taghi heard in silence for the first part of the day how most of the alleged members of his criminal organization were silent just like him. Some did so because they disagree with the media recording and broadcasting their voice. “Zaki is afraid that his voice will turn up on Videoland or The Voice,” said lawyer Bouchikhi.
In any case, the voice of crown witness Nabil B., who is also a suspect in the trial, should not be recorded for his safety. He is shielded from all trial participants in a separate witness booth. In exchange for his statements, the Public Prosecution Service promised him a halving of the 24-year sentence.
Out of court protests were made against Taghi’s trial. According to the protesters, Taghi will not be given a fair trial.
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Taghi’s expression didn’t reveal much. Only during the hearing of the crown witness did he seem amused. The crown witness said he was caught between two fires after the murder of his old neighbor Hakim Changachi. He told the family that Ridouan Taghi was behind the murder and knew that he was signing his own death warrant. A smile played on Taghi’s mouth while Nabil B. told his story, stumbling over his words.
Loyalty issue
He felt like he was entering the lion’s den, Nabil B. said of his decision to defect to the side of justice. “I knew I was taking a step that was not done ‘outside’. But I was determined to explain how things were. They could get Taghi from me. I only had a loyalty problem to the Razzouki family. ”
The friendship with the Razzouki’s is over. That became clear when Mohamed Razzouki fell out against the crown witness. “That quick talk is due to his smooth tongue. In this way he cheated people outside ”, he snapped at Nabil B.
Safety measures outside the bunker
Outside the bunker, the security measures surrounding the mega punishment trial were extremely tightened on Monday. There were heavily armed officers on every street corner and several helicopters and drones in the air.
Police special forces at the bunker prior to the first introductory session of the Marengo trial. Sixteen suspects, including main suspect Ridouan Taghi, are on trial in the mega murder case.
Ⓒ ANP
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In the bunker strict rules applied in connection with Covid. The courtroom was packed with sixteen suspects, sixteen lawyers, judges, prosecutors and security people. “It is responsible,” said the chairman. But all those present were not allowed to move until the security personnel gave permission.
The view of the lawyers and suspects was rather obstructed for both the court and journalists by the tangle of reflective plexiglass windows and pillars. “They are necessary, otherwise the building will collapse,” said the chairman.
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