Crime boss suspect Willem Holleeder is due to have open heart surgery on Thursday. Holleeder became ill last week during his trial on charges of large-scale blackmail operations and leadership of criminal organisations. Today’s operation is taking place at Leiden’s University Medical Centre which has been under heavy guard since Holleeder’s arrival.

The Amsterdam court has suspended Holleeder’s trial indefinitely pending his recovery which is expected to take several months. It will decide next week whether the trials of nine other suspects involved in the case can continue.