The trial of suspected crime boss Willem Holleeder, currently being tried on four counts of blackmail has been suspended because of Holleeder’s health problems. Holleeder, 48, was taken into hospital in Leiden on Monday. The court said Holleeder’s right to attend his own trial was paramount.

Holleeder and a number of others are charged with blackmailing four property dealers, two of whom have since been murdered.
Holleeder, who earlier served time in jail for kidnapping beer magnate Freddie Heineken, was taken unwell in court on Thursday.
His lawyer Jan-Heijn Kuijpers says he has serious heart problems and needs an emergency operation. ‘It is a very serious situation,’ Kuijpers told reporters. He said Holleeder would need several months to recover from the operation, during which he must not face any stress.