Prosecutors demand life for four in Marengo appeal

Prosecutors have demanded life sentences for four men in the appeal stage of the Marengo trial, one of the largest gangland cases in Dutch history, and are seeking tougher terms against nine others than the court initially imposed.

The four are Saïd R. (51), brothers Mario (44) and Mao R. (48), and Achraf B. (33), most of whom played a leading role in Ridouan Taghi’s criminal organisation and were involved in several killings or attempts, the public prosecution department said. It described the case as a dreadful wave of murders.

No demand was made on Tuesday against Taghi himself. His part of the case has been delayed because he still has no lawyers, after every Dutch criminal defence lawyer approached under a special framework declined to represent him.

Six killings

The Marengo case centres on six murders and a string of attempted or planned killings between 2015 and 2017, during the so-called “Mocro mafia” drugs war. The victims included crime blogger Martin Kok and spyshop owner Ronald Bakker, while one man, Hakim Changachi, was killed in a case of mistaken identity.

Prosecutors built their case largely on decrypted messages between the defendants and evidence from crown witness Nabil B. They argued that the drivers, weapons suppliers and spotters were as indispensable to the killings as those who ordered, coordinated and carried them out.

They originally demanded life against six defendants but the court only imposed it on three of them: Taghi, Saïd R. and Mario R. In the appeal, demands against those not facing life range from just over 3.5 years to 29 years.

In several cases prosecutors consider the court’s terms too low. Mao R., sentenced to 15 years and eight months, again faces a demand for life, while Mohamed R., given 27 years, now faces 29 rather than the life term originally sought.
A ruling is expected early next year.