Suspected crime boss Willem Holleeder, on trial in Amsterdam on blackmail charges, will not attend Tuesday’s court session on medical grounds, his lawyer Jan-Hein Kuijpers said. Kuijpers said it was not clear what was ailing Holleeder, but the symptoms were an increased heartbeat and raised blood pressure.

Holleeder will undergo a second medical examination on Tuesday, Kuijpers said. He has also demanded Holleeder be given neurological tests.
Holleeder was taken ill during Thursday’s hearings. His lawyer blamed exhaustion brought on by lack of sleep. Holleeder is reportedly woken at 3am for the long journey between the high security jail in Vught where he is being held and the Amsterdam court.