The well-known crime reporter Peter R. Vries was gunned down in the middle of Amsterdam. He is currently the confidante of a key witness in a lawsuit.
- Crime reporter Peter R. Vries (64) was gunned down on Tuesday evening (July 6th) around 7.30 p.m. on the street in Amsterdam (Netherlands)
- Murder attack in Amsterdam: the prominent journalist “fights for his life”.
- The background to the offense is initially unclear. Two suspects were arrested.
Update from July 7th, 4 p.m .: After the attack on crime reporter Peter R. Vries, there is horror. Passers-by stop briefly to look at the spot in the middle of Amsterdam. “We must not allow our beautiful Amsterdam to get caught in the stranglehold of criminals,” said a woman on Wednesday (July 7th). “I’m horrified.” She gets off her bike and puts a bouquet of flowers on the street. “I really admire de Vries,” says one man. For many Dutch people – citizens, politicians, right up to the royal couple – the reporter is a fearless fighter against crime. This is also emphasized by the Mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema. She condemns the “cowardly and brutal attack”.
There are reactions from home and abroad, marked by shock, anger and compassion. On the sidelines of his state visit to Berlin, King Willem-Alexander expressed his horror at what he said was an attack on the rule of law. Prime Minister Mark Rutte speaks of an “attack on free journalism”. All 17 million Dutch people now feel with their families, according to Rutte in parliament.
EU Council President describes act as an “attack on fundamental values”
EU Council President Charles Michel describes the attack as an “attack on our core values”. The organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for “immediate, complete clarification”. The German Association of Journalists (DJV) warns: “It is to be feared that the billionaire drug and arms business will not only strike mercilessly in the Netherlands if it feels disturbed by journalistic research.”
“Yesterday the worst nightmare became a reality,” writes Royce de Vries, the reporter’s son, on Twitter on Wednesday. He does not report any news about his father’s condition. “Much is still uncertain.”
Evidence is growing in connection with organized crime
The day after the crime at the Leidseplein, there were increasing indications that organized crime was behind it. Two men who were arrested a few hours after the crime are urgently suspected: a 35-year-old Pole who lives in Maurik in the south-east of the country, and a 21-year-old Rotterdam native. Both are to be brought before the judge on Friday. Computers and ammunition were seized during house searches – the police did not provide any more details. But there are many indications that the attack is directly related to the reporter’s most recent case (see first report) . De Vries himself said that he was on Taghi’s “death list”. “It’s clear,” says Telegraaf’s court reporter, Saskia Belleman. “You want to silence Peter.”
“Occupational risk” – De Vries had refused personal protection
De Vries had refused personal protection. “That is part of the occupational risk,” he said in a recent interview. He wants to live free and not let fear dominate him. And he won’t let up. Prime Minister Rutte has now confirmed this in Parliament. The fight against crime will take a long time – “but the Netherlands will win it in the end”.
Federal government condemns attack on reporters
Update from July 7th, 2:04 p.m .: The federal government has strongly condemned the attack on the well-known Dutch crime reporter Pieter R. de Vries. “Should it be confirmed that he was attacked because of his journalistic activities, this would be a clear attack on freedom of the press,” said the deputy government spokeswoman Martina Fietz on Wednesday in Berlin. “That is unacceptable.” The freedom of the press is a great good that must be defended with all means.
Journalists around the world have reacted in shock to the attack on the well-known Dutch crime reporter Peter de Vries. In a joint statement on Tuesday, the international and European federations of journalists spoke of “a new tragic blow against freedom of the press in Europe”. The clients and perpetrators of “this terrible attack” must be identified and brought to justice as quickly as possible.
Arrested following the murder of journalist De Vries
Update from July 7th, 12:19 pm : After the attack on the prominent crime reporter Peter R. de Vries (see first report) , two men are considered urgent suspects. It is about a 35-year-old man with Polish citizenship from the town of Maurik in the south-east of the country and a 21-year-old from Rotterdam. This has now been announced by the Amsterdam police.
A man arrested on Tuesday evening was released. It has nothing to do with the act.
After attack on reporter: Dutch appalled
Amsterdam – According to the police, the prominent Dutch crime reporter Peter R. de Vries was seriously injured in an attack in the middle of Amsterdam. He was hospitalized with a shot in the head, the police confirmed on Tuesday evening (July 6). Nothing has yet been communicated about the background of the crime.
Amsterdam: Peter R. de Vries seriously injured
At around 7.30 p.m., according to media reports, an unknown person shot 64-year-old de Vries at Leidseplein in the center of Amsterdam when the journalist had left a TV studio. De Vries had recently taken part in a live broadcast. Witnesses recognized the victim, and videos of the crime scene were also distributed on social media.
Peter R. Vries currently confidante of a key witness
De Vries is the leading crime reporter in the Netherlands and regularly appears as a spokesperson for victims or witnesses at trials. He is known for research and stories about the kidnapping of Freddy Heineken in 1983, in 2006 he researched the missing teenage girl Natalee Holloway. He is currently the Crown Witness confidante in a major organized crime trial. In connection with the trial, the attorney for the key witness had already been shot in 2019.
According to media reports, a suspect was arrested on the A2 near Breukelen shortly after the crime. The municipality is about 30 kilometers from Amsterdam. (dpa / jh)
Rubriklistenbild: © EVERT ELZINGA/AFP
