Suspects in Overasselt raid held in custody for another 90 days

A court has ordered 14 people who were arrested in the aftermath of a shooting in a village near Arnhem to be kept in custody for another 90 days while inquiries continue.

Police arrested 35 people after a group of armed men descended on Overasselt in the early hours of September 1 and opened fire on a farmhouse, killing a 51-year-old guard and seriously injuring two police officers.

The suspects, who had various nationalities including French, Belgian and Algerian, were caught hiding in fields or as they tried to flee by car or train.

Military police later recovered weapons that had been abandoned at the scene, including one location near a primary school.

More suspects are due to appear in court on Wednesday and Thursday, when a judge will be asked to extend their detention. The group is accused of murder or attempted murder of the guard and attempted murder of the police officers.

It is suspected the attack was part of a feud over cocaine dealing linked with the man living in the farmhouse, Jan G., who has been targeted in the past.

Local mayor Joerie Minses has ordered G. to stay out of the village for the next three months.