A man detained in Curacao on suspicion of involvement in a criminal gang connected to the murder of Dutch journalist Peter R. de Vries has been extradited to The Netherlands to face charges, according to prosecutors. The individual, who was not identified, is believed to have played a key role in the gang responsible for the fatal shooting of De Vries on July 6, 2021, in a busy Amsterdam street. De Vries, a revered journalist, passed away nine days later at the age of 64 due to his injuries. The suspect, who has been in custody in Curacao since 2014, was apprehended on Monday. The reasons for his detention in the Caribbean island were not disclosed. He is set to appear before a judge in Amsterdam, as confirmed by prosecution spokesperson Brechtje van de Moosdijk. This man is the most recent individual to be detained in connection with the investigation into De Vries’ murder. Earlier in June 2024, an Amsterdam court convicted three men of murder for their roles in the shooting, causing shockwaves across the country. Three others were found guilty of complicity in the crime. While the motive behind the killing remains unknown, speculations suggest a connection to a series of gang-related incidents in and around Amsterdam. Despite gang leader Ridouan Taghi being convicted of ordering some of these crimes, he has not been charged in De Vries’ murder. De Vries had been advising and supporting a protected witness in the trial against the alleged gang leader and other members. Both the witness’s brother and lawyer were also tragically murdered. Taghi was found guilty of involvement in five gang-related killings and received a life sentence in February, with judges describing him as the unchallenged leader of a criminal organization. Taghi has since appealed his convictions.
