Holleeder is suspected of being involved in six liquidations between 2002 and 2006. He denies that. Holleeder and his lawyers feel that the court had ignored their extensive, detailed defenses during the more than sixty court days.
The court followed the line of the Public Prosecution Service, which sees Holleeder as the client of the liquidations. Statements by his sisters Astrid and Sonja, who acted as crown witnesses, were accepted.
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The alleged victims of Willem Holleeder
Willem Frederik Holleeder (May 29, 1958) became known to the general public as one of the kidnappers of Freddy Heineken in 1983. He did this together with Cor van Hout, among others.
Van Hout (who was married to Hollader’s sister Sonja at the time) was liquidated in 2003, together with boat dealer Robert ter Haak. Other alleged victims are:
- Drug trafficker John Mieremet (2002)
- Real estate entrepreneur Willem Endstra, ‘banker of the underworld’ (2005)
- Criminal and real estate entrepreneur Kees Houtman (2005)
- Pub owner Thomas van der Bijl (2006)
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The research into Holleeder has taken years. Forty detectives worked continuously on the case. Nearly 300 witnesses have been heard. “The Public Prosecution Service also needed that, because there is simply no direct proof that Holleeder would be the client for liquidations,” says reporter Rik Konijnenbelt, who has been following the case for years. “The file of about a thousand files consists mainly of statements that appoint Holleeder as guilty. And many witnesses have an interest in convicting Holleeder, especially his sisters.”
Never questioned thoroughly
Holleder’s lawyers believe that Astrid and Sonja Holleeder were never questioned thoroughly and critically during their interrogations in court. Moreover, all victims (except boat dealer Ter Haak) had plenty of enemies in the Amsterdam underworld. So they could also have a motive.
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Today there is a directorial session on the program. It is held in the Schiphol Judicial Complex, one of the most secure courts in our country. “Because Holleeder challenges his conviction on all counts, the whole lawsuit will be repeated. It will be a long case again. All facts have to be dealt with again,” said Konijnenbelt.
Last straw
Holleeder let through his lawyers know that he comes with a statement. He may not be filmed during the hearing, but his voice may be recorded. He will then be heard for the first time since his conviction.
It is the last straw for the man who is seen as one of the leaders of the old Dutch mafia. After this appeal, Holleeder can only go to the Supreme Court. That does not deal with the matter again, but only looks at whether all procedures have been legally followed properly.
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