The four men who, according to justice, had plans to kidnap the Belgian Minister of Justice, do not want to be handed over to our southern neighbors. However, that remains the intention, the Public Prosecution Service reported this afternoon.
The public prosecutor in Amsterdam has decided that the extradition detention of four men aged 20, 21, 29 and 48 will be continued. The Belgian authorities have requested their surrender. However, none of the four men will agree to that request.
On Saturday, three Dutchmen were arrested in The Hague and Leidschendam. The fourth suspect was arrested on Sunday afternoon on the street in The Hague. The Belgian Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne subsequently reported that his kidnapping had been thwarted. The minister has been placed under increased security because of the threat.
The men were presented today to a public prosecutor working at the International Legal Assistance Center (IRC) of the Amsterdam district public prosecutor’s office. It is now up to the International Legal Aid Chamber of the Amsterdam court to decide whether the surrender will be allowed. That public hearing will take place within 60 days from now.
The officer has decided that the four men remain in detention in the meantime. Also, the restrictions remain in place, meaning they are not allowed to have contact with anyone except their lawyer.
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