"Prison regime is not unacceptable" 02/05/2007 00:00

2 May 2007

THE HAGUE – The medical adviser of the justice department has ascertained that the strict regime in place for Willem Holleeder at the prison hospital in Scheveningen is not unacceptable or irresponsible in light of Holleeder's health. Government attorney Eric Daalder says this was the adviser's conclusion after an investigation and talks with the prisoner's doctors.

Daalder said this during interim proceedings this morning which Holleeder had brought against the state in an attempt to have the strict security measures in effect for his stay at the prison hospital lifted.

Holleeder's lawyer Jan-Hein Kuijpers says that these security measures are hindering his client's rehabilitation after open heart surgery.

Prison officials fear Holleeder may try to flee or use medical equipment at the facility to hold hostages as part of a prison break if he is not handcuffed.

Daalder says that new information has been received that Holleeder plans to try to escape. He says that this shows that these measures are not excessive. "Holleeder is considered an extreme flight risk and we expect he would have help from outside in any attempt."

The court will decide on the matter on 4 May.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2007]

Subject: Dutch news