The trial has started in the military court against a sergeant major of the commando troops from Roosendaal. There is an air of mystery surrounding the case. Commando Sil A. participated in missions that are state secret. He’s not actually allowed to talk. But the court would like to talk to him about the allegations that he was involved in weapons and drugs. A. has now decided to remain silent altogether, as a precaution.
Sil A. (44) comes from Rotterdam and worked at the Commando Troops Corps in Roosendaal, the elite unit of Defense. He carried out secret missions abroad and collaborated with intelligence services. The military police and the Public Prosecution Service (OM) believe that he was also secretly involved in coke and weapons smuggling.
The indictment lists 260 kilos of coke, 570 machine guns, 250 assault rifles and 250 pistols. A. is also said to have leaked secret information about his work at Defense.
At the Engelbrecht van Nassaukazerne in Roosendaal he was busy, among other things, setting up the 102 company. A new commando unit that can take early action in foreign crises, for example by collecting intelligence on the spot.
Secret
A. was arrested in early 2022. There were seven interim hearings at the military court in Arnhem, often behind closed doors, always because of his secret work.
When the trial started on Monday morning, the mystery was immediately in the air again. It started in public, but his lawyer immediately asked if it could be done without an audience, media and court illustrators. “He should be able to say what he wants to say.”
‘Business’
A. briefly explained that he is afraid that state secrets would otherwise be exposed. “Then I’m sure I’m going to get bullied.”
As a soldier, A. has a duty of confidentiality. Anyone who violates this is punishable. The public prosecutor has heard that defense often and thinks it is exaggerated. “There has been no indication that state security has been endangered.” The judges were on the same page: publicity. But they decided to give A. another chance to explain what it was about. Behind closed doors.
Cell phone
In the afternoon everyone was allowed back in. It would remain public from now on. A. and his lawyer then asked to postpone the case. For research into A.’s memory problems and for witness interviews. Because there is someone who can tell why A. had a crypto phone from Sky ECC.
Criminals also used such a device. But A. is said to have contacted someone from the AIVD intelligence service about testing such a crypto phone. Just work, is the message.
Secret agent
When the court chairman accidentally mentioned the first name of that witness, probably a (secret) agent of the AIVD, A. perked up. Together with his lawyer, they lost confidence in the judges by challenging them.
During the afternoon it was announced that the judges were allowed to stay. Sil A. was disappointed. “I’m no longer sharp. I can’t focus anymore, it’s just not possible anymore,” A. said at the end of the afternoon. He reiterated that he does not want to make any more statements.
The trial continues on Wednesday. In public. A small part is behind closed doors, but that has already been determined earlier. That is the suspicion about the leaking of secret information. Because it contains sensitive information, it is discussed without the public and media.
Also read: ‘Roosendaal commando had to help kidnap Ridouan Taghi’