Dutch court convicts 3 of murder in shooting of investigative reporter

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AMSTERDAM, June 12, (AP): A Dutch court on Wednesday convicted three men of murder for their roles in the 2021 shooting of investigative reporter Peter R. de Vries, a brazen attack in downtown Amsterdam that sent a shockwave through the Netherlands.
The shooter, getaway driver and organizer of the attack were convicted of direct involvement in the killing. The shooter and driver were sentenced to 28 years. The man who organized the slaying was sentenced to 26 years and one month.
The three demonstrated “unprecedented ruthlessness and unscrupulousness. Their actions and the recklessness they showed demonstrate that they do not care about human life,” said presiding Judge Gert Oldekamp at Amsterdam District Court.
De Vries was gunned down on July 5, 2021, on a busy Amsterdam street and died nine days later of his injuries at age 64.
Annemiek van Spanje, a lawyer for de Vries’ family, said they were satisfied with the judgment, but that “the bottom line is … it won’t bring back their father.”
A total of nine men were charged in connection with the murder. Three were convicted of complicity and were given sentences ranging from 10 years to 14 years. One man was convicted of drug possession but was cleared of complicity in the murder. He was sentenced to four weeks.
Two were acquitted because they were charged only with involvement in a criminal organization, and the judges said prosecutors did not prove the existence of such an organization.
Prosecution spokesperson Justine Asbroek welcomed the convictions.
“We are happy that this criminal case has come to an end – at least for the time being,” she told reporters at the courthouse. “We are happy for the family that there is finally clarity about those involved in the murder.”

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