Suspects Douglas W. and Bernhard Z. were both present in the court in Assen this morning. Just before the hearing, the police decided to get the full names and photos of the suspects of their website. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) has determined that the two ninety days longer stuck.
Justice thinks the treasures are still somewhere
The OM is convinced that the two together with the 20-year-old fellow suspect have committed the art robbery in the Drents Museum. They would have exploded a heavy firework bomb at the entrance of the museum, with which they caused considerable damage and destruction to the building. Then they would Golden helmet and three gold bracelets have stolen.
Justice suspects that the three suspects themselves have planned the art. They also assume that the stolen pieces still exist and have not melted. There is another investigation into possible other stakeholders.
Third suspect points to the suspect W.
According to the third suspect, W. was the creator of the plan, but all suspects refuse to say something about it. Justice states that there is sufficient evidence against them.
The suspects have had several opportunities to reveal where the loot has gone. According to the judiciary, the case is not only about the crime committed, but especially about finding the stolen art treasures. “Every day they are responsible for the treasures not yet found,” said the OM
According to the Public Prosecution Service, that works for punishment. The suspects therefore not only risk imprisonment, but possibly also long -term financial consequences. They could stay with the claims for damages for the rest of their lives
Suspects angry about making identity and photo
The suspects in the artist case refuse to respond to the charges during the hearing. Out of Bernhard Z. his frustration about the fact that his photo was made public at the start of the investigation. “My family is bothered by that. They are always addressed,” he said in court.
Douglas Chesley W. denies any involvement and states to be innocent. He says that he was put under great pressure, among other things by being interrogated in the middle of the night and strange offers made to him. His lawyer makes an urgent call: “Justice, stopping the suspects under pressure to explain where the things are. They may not have the things and you should look in a different direction.”
The Public Prosecution Service emphasizes that the focus is on finding the stolen art treasures. Various investigation techniques were deployed for this that they knew would be sensitive. Especially making names and photos public encounters severe criticism of the defense. “The whole of the Netherlands already thinks that these men are guilty,” says Bernhard Z.’s lawyer.
The next session is planned for July 30.