Public Prosecution Service demands higher sentences against ten suspects in Marengo trial on appeal: ‘Suspects appear to be downplaying their own role’

On Tuesday, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) demanded higher sentences on appeal against ten of the seventeen suspects in the Marengo trial. The criminal case revolves around six murders (including former criminal and crime blogger Martin Kok), an attempted murder and the formation of a criminal organization from 2015 to 2017.

In early 2024, the court in Amsterdam imposed life imprisonment on three suspects, including the “undisputed leader” Ridouan Taghi. “Society must resist as much as possible [Taghi] be secured,” the judge ruled.

Achraf B. and Mao R., who were previously sentenced to more than 29 and 15 years in prison respectively by the court, should receive life sentences, the prosecutor believes.

Key witness Nabil B., who, according to the Public Prosecution Service, made a reliable statement, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. His brother Reduan B., lawyer Derk Wiersum and confidential counselor Peter R. de Vries were murdered.

‘Meaningless cog’

The prosecutor believes it is unfair that some suspects present themselves as a “meaningless cog” in the criminal organization and thus appear to “downplay” their own role. The Public Prosecution Service wants to send the signal that every suspect in the Marengo case, including the driver, weapons supplier and spotter, “is partly responsible for the very serious criminal offenses committed by a ruthless criminal organization.”

“When you stay (physically) away from the actual execution of a murder – or so seems to be the widely held idea among the suspects – it is apparently not considered as bad or less bad,” the prosecutor notes.

It is not yet known when the Supreme Court will rule. The court will decide on the progress of the case against Ridouan Taghi, who does not yet have a lawyer, on June 12. Lawyers Ronald van der Horst and Anique Slijters want to defend him provided they are given ‘sufficient time’ to review the 90,000-page criminal file.

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