It was “barely” prevented, says lawyer Willem Jebbink. The Public Prosecution Service threatened to take a photo public in 2023 to ask tips that could lead to the arrest of a demonstrator who cuts a fence at Eindhoven Airport in the event of Extinction Rebellion. “It was a minor woman,” says Jebbink.
The demonstrator was given a week of reflection of justice. If she did not report, her image would soon show off an investigation poster. “We sharpened the knives to prevent publication through summary proceedings, but the demonstrator decided to announce her identity to the police,” says Jebbink.
The experienced criminal lawyer says he has the impression that the judiciary publishes ‘more and more lightly’ photos of suspects. “Any infringement of the privacy that is at the service of the investigation nowadays seems permissible.” Lawyers describe the method to publish photos of suspects as a kind of pillory tactic in view of the investigation. “It looks like threat,” says lawyer Richard Korver.
Read also
“The average jeweler has better showcases than the Drents Museum,” says expert in museum security
This week it decided to publish two photos and the names three days earlier who are suspected of stolen Romanian art treasures (Dacian Golden Helmet and Bracelets) from the Drents Museum in Assen a week ago. The police hope to find out in such a way where the possible thieves stayed after the robbery and hid the loot.
A great action, says Minister David van Weel (Justice and Security, VVD). “We want the art treasures back as quickly as possible. Time also plays a role in this. If those documents are on their way abroad or to destruction, then every second counts, “said the Minister against RTL. According to Van Weel, “the suspects had the choice to tell where the treasures were. Otherwise these images would go outside. “
‘Innocence presumption’
Korver rejects this action. “Have those two men known the art robbery? Surely we have innocence presumption in the Netherlands? Only a judge can declare the suspects guilty. ” By giving up their identity, they have already finally become villains. Jebbink also finds it a nonsensical tactic “to attract the thumb screws with these suspects” because a large art treasure has been stolen. “As if the buyer of the helmet now recognizes the seller by the publicity and goes to the police with that information? This is pure punishment of suspects. “
It must be urgently necessary for the investigation, there must also be permission from the chief public prosecutor
Public Prosecutor Ernst Pols from Rotterdam, portfolio holder for 15 years of Investigation Character at the OM, calls the decision to announce the identity of suspects that have already been arrested “an exceptional measure.” However, the prosecutor points out that since 2017 this method is explicitly permitted in the so -called ‘designation reporting’.
“It must be urgent for the investigation,” says Pols. “There must be a strong suspicion for a criminal offense that contains a penalty maxim of at least 8 years in prison. There must also be permission from the chief public prosecutor. ” Pols also calls the current case a very serious crime. “It is not for nothing that the Romanians compare it to stealing the night watch. We want to make a complete timeline: map out step by step where the suspects have been after the robbery. “
Not the first time
The Public Prosecution Service points out that it is not the first time that it was chosen to spread the name and photos of an already arrested suspect. In 2010 it spread the photo and name of 27-year-old Robert M. He was suspected of having sexually abused dozens of very young children on daycare centers in Amsterdam. By publicity, the police hoped to warn parents of potentially abused children and collect new information.
According to him, the OM tries to deal with the publication of photos in moderation. Recordings of fugitive football hooligans, caught in destruction or disorder, are usually shown in the first instance. If they do not report after a while, full disclosure will follow.
Where does it end if we also use this tactic when stolen goods?
Lawyer Korver warns the publicity ‘too easy’ to use as an investigation method. In the case of children who are abused or, for example, in a treasure hunt for a terrorist who is on the road with a bomb, he can understand this investigation reporting. “But where does it end if we also use this tactic when stolen goods?” The lawyer calls it striking that in the case of the art hey, many media have not distributed the investigation information of the police. “They don’t want to cooperate lightly.”
Officer of Justice Pols says that the investigation reporting is generally very successful. He even mentions relatively one of the cheapest investigation methods relatively speaking for a ‘golden tip’. The prospect of a reward generates attention and many tips while usually nothing has to be paid. “There is usually no decisive tip and only in combination with classical criminal criminal crimes are the ultimately resolved.”
The television program Investigation Requestedwhere the police hopes to detect criminals with the help of viewers, is quite successful according to Pols. Although the viewing figures are falling. “Police information is nowadays distributed much faster via social media. And luckily most people are still willing to provide tips for free. “
Read also
It is quiet in the Drents Museum, which reopened on Friday. It ‘still has hope’ that the stolen pieces will come back
