Follow the case below from 10 a.m. via the tweets of Saskia Belleman.
According to the public prosecutor, all lines come together at Ridouan Taghi. He made all the decisions and left a trail of grief and destruction. And he was responsible for enlisting mostly young men to carry out murders. If Taghi suspected that the executors or other members of the organization were talking about him, he did not shy away from killing his own people, “who had become loose ends.”
Zakaria A. (29) who, among other things, acted as a spotter, followed the targets, provided cars with beacons and passed on information about where the target was. Requirement: 25 years and 8 months in prison. Charif el A. (34) who cleaned and supplied the weapons for murders. He was also involved in arranging cars. Requirement: 16 years in prison.
Mohamed el A. (33) is complicit in the murder of Skecic, complicit in preparatory acts for murder, and supplying cars and weapons. He was in a high position within the organization. The Public Prosecution Service demands 26 years and 5 months in prison. Achraf B. (29), who, according to the Public Prosecution Service, was involved as a spotter in 3 murders, including the mistaken murder of Changachi, and various murder attempts. He gets two demands, because his case is heard by two courts. The Public Prosecution Service finds it justifiable that the court first rules in the case in which a temporary prison sentence of 28 years is demanded against Achraf B. And then in the case in which the Public Prosecution Service demands life.
Zakaria el H. (43), who according to the Public Prosecution Service is an important facilitator for Taghi and who had a crucial role within the criminal organization. All logistical lines went through him. The Public Prosecution Service demands 26 years and 8 months in prison. The OM demands 16 years in prison against Baghdad el H. (46), who lured target Skecic from his house, followed targets and arranged a safe house. Continue with Arthur M. (49). He arranged and hid cars used in murders. He was willing to arrange an attack on the Spyshop, even though there were people inside. He was involved in the execution of four assassination plans. Requirement: 23 years and 8 months.
Walid M. (36) was involved in preparing and delivering the bazooka for the Spyshop attack. He also supplied and hid weapons for murder. Requirement: 20 years in prison. The Public Prosecution Service demands 16 years in prison against Mohamed M. (39). He supplied cars, weapons etc that were used in murders. He had access to the money of the criminal organization.
The Public Prosecution Service demands 5 years and 11 months in prison against Ricardo O. (33), who passed around PGP telephones and money among members of the criminal organization. Mohamed Razzouki (40), who is suspected of complicity in two murders and preparing several murders. He had direct contact with gunmen, as well as with Taghi and his brother Said. Requirement: lifelong. His brother Zaki Razzouki (43) managed and maintained weapons for Taghi, and delivered money and a PGP phone. There is still a drug case against him at court. Requirement: 14 years in prison. Mao R. (47), who, according to the Public Prosecution Service, was one of the right hands of Ridouan Taghi. He is accused of involvement in several murders and sent gunmen. The Public Prosecution Service is demanding life against him. Mao’s brother, Mario R. (42) was also a close confidant of Ridouan Taghi and held a high position in the organization. He was actively involved in committing murders, says the public prosecutor. The requirement is lifelong.
Undisputed leader
Taghi is the undisputed leader of the gang, the Public Prosecution Service explained in the indictment that took nine days. Mao R. and Saïd Razzouki are seen as his main adjutants. The case of Razzouki. is lagging behind the rest of ‘Marengo’ by the way. That is because he was only extradited to the Netherlands from Colombia last December. He and his new lawyers therefore had less preparation time. The sentence against Razzouki will therefore come at a later, not yet determined time.
Revenge – for example because it is suspected that someone has talked to the police – and satisfaction were the main motives for murder, but according to the Public Prosecution Service, “being in favor of revenge by the opposing party” was also a reason to kill.
The indictment is the provisional climax in the sampling process, which began in March 2018 with a first introductory session. Then the judiciary announced that it has a key witness. Regrettant Nabil B. is said to have belonged to Taghi’s supposed gang and made a series of statements against his former accomplices in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Less than a week after the hearing in March 2018, B.’s brother Reduan was shot dead. In September 2019, the murder of B.’s lawyer Derk Wiersum followed. In July last year, Peter R. de Vries was shot dead. He acted as advisor and confidant of the crown witness. These three murders are not part of the Marengo trial.
After the indictment, it is the turn of the lawyers to present the pleadings. The months of September to December are allotted for this. It is still unclear when a decision will be made. The court is taking into account the middle of next year.
The demand of Nabil B., the crown witness, was already known: the Public Prosecution Service wants to impose 10 years in prison: net 8 years. A halving of what would normally be demanded, in exchange for his statements. He has kept to his agreement, says the Public Prosecution Service.