Dutch probe ‘Belgian link’ to Theo van Gogh murder

14 December 2004

BRUSSELS – Dutch police are to investigate whether suspected terrorists in Belgium were involved in the murder of film-maker Theo van Gogh.

Lieve Pellens, spokeswoman for Belgium’s federal court, said detectives from Amsterdam would come to Brussels this week.

“The Dutch investigators will come to Brussels to see whether there is anything in our cases which could have interesting aspects for their investigation,” she said.

A Dutch-Moroccan, who may legally only be referred to as Mohammed B., has already been arrested and charged with shooting and stabbing Van Gogh to death on 2 November, as well as a number of other crimes. A number of other suspects were also arrested in the Netherlands in connection with the case.

However, Dutch police are still looking for information on the case. In particular, they want to prove their belief that Mohammed B. is an Islamic extremist who was part of a terrorist group.

It is believed terrorists targeted Van Gogh for his outspoken film Submission, written by Somali-born Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Dutch MP.

Pellens has refused to say whether the Van Gogh murder inquiry team are particularly interested in Abdelkader Hakimi, a Belgian Moroccan who has been arrested in Brussels for suspected terrorism.

Hakimi and several other suspects are being investigated by Belgian police for alleged involvement in a Moroccan extremist group called Groupe islamique combatant marocain (GICM).
Pellens said that if the Dutch police wanted more information on Belgian cases after their visit they would have to make a formal legal request.

[Copyright Expatica 2004]

Subject: Belgian news