De Vries faces legal action over AIVD disks

13 December 2005

AMSTERDAM — Crime journalist Peter. R. de Vries faces potential legal action for his broadcast about classified information gathered by the intelligence service AIVD, Home Affairs Minister Johan Remkes warned.

Speaking on discussion programme Barend & Van Dorp on Monday evening, Remkes said “something had gone seriously wrong” when an AIVD agent left two disks, containing the information, in a lease car. An employee at the garage gave the disks to De Vries.

De Vries went public about the disks last week to ensure maximum interest on Sunday for his programme, in which he revealed the regional branch of the AIVD had compiled information on the personal life of murdered populist politician Pim Fortuyn and members of his LPF party.

The most striking, though unsubstantiated, claim on the disks was from a source who told the AIVD that Fortuyn – who was openly gay – visited “dark rooms” where young drug-addicted Moroccan males offered sex in return for drugs. Fortuyn campaigned on an anti-immigration ticket.

De Vries also revealed the disks contained the names and contact details of AIVD agents, and agents working for foreign intelligence agencies. The AIVD has taken repossession of the disks.

Minister Remkes said De Vries acted in a “reasonably prudent” way during the broadcast by not giving too many sensitive details. However, the AIVD has filed a criminal complaint against De Vries and he may face legal action.

Remkes said he was really annoyed about the way the disks had been misplaced. The agent responsible has been suspended and the AIVD is investigating how exactly the disks came to be left in the car. The agent may have been “too shy” to report the loss of the disks to his superiors, Remkes speculated.

The Minister said that the AIVD took an interest in Fortuyn in 2002 because of the populist politician may have been open to blackmail.

Subject: Dutch news