Tuesday’s Telegraaf opens with a page-sized photograph of Volkert van der Graaf, the man who served 12 years in jail for killing populist politician Pim Fortuyn in 2002.

It is the first time there has been a photograph of Van der Graaf since he was released from jail in early May.

Van der Graaf was visiting his lawyer on the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam and was recognised by one of the paper’s photographers who approached him. He is pictured in jeans and baseball cap walking along the street.

Probation

The paper says Van der Graaf did not protest about being photographed but gave the photographer a card with the name of his probation officer. He is banned from talking to the press under the terms of his early release.

The paper said publication of the photograph is in the public interest and that it would continue to publish photographs as long as Van der Graaf is considered newsworthy.

‘It is our task to provide news and information and the public interest in the murder of Pim Fortuyn remains strong,’ the paper said. ‘At the same time, Van der G must be given the chance to take is place in society again after serving his sentence.’

Last week, the mayor of Apeldoorn revealed he was living in the city in a letter to locals.