Arnhem villa murder convictions may be biggest miscarriage of justice in NL

Statue of justice.
Photo: Depositphotos.com
Statue of justice.
Photo: Depositphotos.com

Nine men who served five to 12 years in prison for a 1998 robbery which ended in murder may be victims of the biggest miscarriage of justice ever to take place in the Netherlands, the NRC reports.

The case, known as the Arnhem villa murder, revolves around the robbery of a 63 year-old woman in her home in Arnhem. She was shot through the head and killed and her 33-year-old friend was wounded and survived. The robbers got away with a couple of bank cards, some money and a bracelet.

Nine men, eight of whom were of Turkish decent, were arrested for the crime. Their convictions are now deemed to have been ‘potentially unsafe’ according to a report  sent to the public prosecutor’s office by Acas, a panel of independent legal experts.

The panel said video footage of the interrogation of the men was ‘worrying’ and showed the suspects were put under undue pressure. In some cases, ‘words were put into their mouths’ even though they spoke little Dutch.

In addition, forensic investigation into fingerprints and blood could not be linked to the suspects, and that is now to be re-tested, the paper said.

If the investigation into dna evidence turns out to be unrelated to the men, a request to review the case will be filed at the High Court.

Meanwhile the men have completed their prison terms. One man committed suicide in his cell, leaving a note saying ‘I am innocent’, the NRC reported.

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