Art robber Henk B. is concerned about his safety and that of his family. His lawyer Iwan Appel told the judge in Alkmaar today. Henk B. is currently detained in Rotterdam on suspicion of an attempted theft of the painting ‘De Voorzaan and the Westerhem’ by Monet, from the Zaans Museum last August.
Two men attempted to steal the painting in broad daylight on Sunday, August 15. Shots were fired during the attempt. Once outside, the painting was taken by bystanders, after which the robbers fled. Henk B. reported in September at the policeAt the beginning of this year, a second suspect (a 37-year-old Purmerender) was arrested†
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According to lawyer Appel, information has come out at an earlier stage of the case, which the defense wonders how this is possible. He then referred to a broadcast from Shownieuws from last night.
It featured a good acquaintance of Henk B.: ex-art robber Okkie Durham responded in a report on the case. Twenty years ago, Okkie and Henk B. stole two paintings by Van Gogh from the Van Gogh Museum. They were both sentenced to more than three years in prison.
What B. is now afraid of, was not clear during the trial. In the report of Shownieuws, Okkie said, among other things: “Henk is not an amateur, he is too old for these kinds of things. Then I think: ‘why did you do this Henkie?’ I think he thinks the same himself: ‘shit, what have I done?'” After the report, former lawyer Bram Moszkowicz said in the broadcast that Henk B. is in financial trouble, according to Okkie.
The prosecutor was not aware of the media attention. According to her, nothing has come out about this case from the Public Prosecution Service.
The substantive hearing of the lawsuit will be in the court of Alkmaar on April 19 at 2.30 pm.