The lawyers of the 13 suspects from Operation Alfa have lost confidence in the court. They accuse the judges of withholding information. “The defense has no choice,” said lawyer Kuijpers
It concerns an appointment with an agent who must act as a witness on Thursday. Last fall, the court already heard that the policeman would be sitting on Curacao during this appeal. That information was not shared with the lawyers and suspects. They were visibly surprised by his absence. Martien R. called it ‘rude’.
Video
“Apparently a decision has already been made on October 10, by the court about a video interrogation!” said lawyer Kuijpers, counsel for Martien R. “Apparently there has been contact between the Public Prosecution Service and the court without knowing the lawyers. So it doesn’t matter what the defense says and thinks. The defense has been kept out”
The lawyers then avenged all the counselors of the court. They withdrew. Another court will consider the matter. How long that will take is unknown. This can take hours, but sometimes even a day.
The appeal began on Thursday at the Palace of Justice in Den Bosch. Tensions in the crowded courtroom quickly rose after a heated discussion over a series of witness interviews. Five witness interviews of police officers were scheduled. Lawyers wanted to ask them questions about the drastic eavesdropping operation. The officers were supposed to answer the questions in disguise. The lawyers and suspects thought that was ridiculous.
more to come