A year ago, prominent reporter Peter R. de Vries was shot dead in the middle of Amsterdam. The two alleged perpetrators are now before the court.
The lawyers Ronald van Der Horst and Anique Slijters on their way to the courtroom.
(dpa) In the trial of the murder of Dutch crime reporter Peter R. de Vries, the prosecution has asked for life imprisonment. It is about a “severe deliberate attack on our constitutional state,” said the representative of the public prosecutor’s office on Tuesday at the start of the trial in Amsterdam. The prosecution also sees links to a notorious drug gang in the crime. The court must send a “clear signal” with the maximum penalty.
Poignant words from relatives
De Vries, known as a fearless fighter against crime, was gunned down in the middle of Amsterdam on July 6, 2021. He succumbed to his injuries nine days later. He was 64 years old. The bloody deed shocked the country and also caused international horror. The journalist was a key witness against a notorious drug gang. There are many indications that organized crime is behind it. But the masterminds are still unknown.
The horrific scenes from that time were shown in the courtroom. The reporter’s daughter left the room when the footage was shown. De Vries emerged from a TV studio just before 7.30pm and walked to his car in a nearby garage on Langen Leidsedwarsstraat. On the terraces you can see people drinking and eating. A young man in dark clothing approaches from behind and shoots. De Vries collapses.
In addition to the alleged perpetrator Delano G. (22), who is said to have shot the reporter, the Pole Kamil E. (36), who lives in the Netherlands, is also accused. Almost a year after the murder, the relatives in court have addressed the accused with moving words. The first day of the trial was agonizing for her. They spoke of anger, their sadness and their pain. But the accused remained silent or denied.
The accused remain silent
The reporter’s two children exercised their right to speak in court. Royce de Vries spoke of an “unprecedented disrespect for life”. His sister Kelly wanted to look the alleged perpetrator in the eye. She said: “Different from you. You didn’t dare look at my father yourself when you shot him from behind.”
The sympathy in Amsterdam for the cruel death of the reporter was great.
The defendants showed no emotion. They also responded to questions from the court with silence – or they denied it. “I’m exercising my right to remain silent,” Delano G said. He was wearing a black turtleneck. Kamil E. said he was just driving the car and taking someone from Rotterdam to Amsterdam. “I don’t know anything about murder,” said the family man. He wore a white shirt.
Big burden of proof
But the burden of proof is great. Investigators caught both of them on the freeway shortly after the crime. According to the public prosecutor’s office, the murder weapon was also found in the car with DNA traces from both men. There are 88 witnesses, a plethora of camera footage – and finally a cell phone with incriminating text messages in both Polish and Dutch.
Videos and text reports outlined the crime: the Pole had scouted out the crime scene days before the attack. He is also said to have shown Delano G. where to shoot just minutes before the crime. An unknown person had therefore sent photos of de Vries: “You must have the dog.” Then he urged them to do it in pairs. Answer: «I’ll do it solo. I’ll finish that.” It is unclear who the stranger who gave instructions on the cell phone is. The prosecution believes that a notorious drug gang commissioned the order, which is currently being tried.
The two accused face long prison sentences or even life imprisonment. The verdict is expected to be pronounced on July 14.