The Hague Court of Appeal wants further investigation into the undercover action in the case surrounding the so-called Posbank murder. For example, an involved police informant must be heard and an expert must check whether the undercover action has influenced the statement of the convicted Souris R.
The case revolves around the death of painter Alex Wiegmink. The man was shot in 2003 during a run in the Gelderse nature reserve De Posbank. The motive was that he accidentally witnessed suspicious actions.
Frank S. and R. were sentenced to eighteen years in prison on appeal. However, the Supreme Court recently decided that R.’s case should be redone. In his case, the so-called Mr. Big method applied, a controversial way in which the suspect is included in a fictional criminal organization. The ‘criminals’ – who are actually police officers – have people confess actions so that they can rise higher within the fictional organization.
R. did indeed claim in conversation with the undercover agents that he was involved in the runner’s death, but later withdrew that statement. An expert must now investigate whether he indeed felt compelled to say such a thing.
The court also wants the information from tapped telephone conversations of the time to be reviewed. The court expects to be able to start substantive treatment at the beginning of next year.
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