Haarlem district court on Tuesday freed another suspect on trial for blackmail alongside alleged crime boss Willem Holleeder.

The public prosecution department had demanded the man, known as Richard G, serve a three year jail term for his role in the alleged blackmail of Kees Houtman who was shot dead in 2005.
The release of G. means only two out of the original 10 defendants are still in custody – Holleeder himself and René van D. Seven others have been released from jail and the case against one has been delayed indefinitely on health grounds.
Holleeder is accused of blackmailing three property tycoons, two of whom have since been murdered. One other charge of blackmail was dropped by the prosecution department in early November because of the lack of evidence.
The public prosecutor says Holleeder should be sentenced to 12 years in jail because he already has a criminal record for kidnapping beer magnate Freddie Heineken.
Holleeder’s trial began earlier this year but was halted after he developed serious heart trouble. The hearings resumed in September. In early October key witness Bram Zeegers died of a drugs overdose just days after giving evidence.
The trial is now winding down and due to formally close on December 7. Judges are due to give their verdicts on December 21.