Dutch news in brief – 20 April - Expatica Netherlands

Dutchman loses Moscow hostage damages case

The Moscow Appeals Court has rejected a compensation claim by Dutch national Aleks Zjyrov for the death of his wife, who was killed in the Moscow hostage drama in October 2002. Zjyrov demanded EUR 750,000 in compensation after his wife Nathalie died when Russian special forces used a narcotic gas in storming the theatre where 40 Chechen rebels had taken more than 800 people hostage. All rebels were killed and 130 hostages died in the ensuing armed raid by special forces. Zjyrov’s son was also injured in the drama and his lawyer plans to lodge the damages case with the European Court of Human Rights.

KLM chief defends Air France takeover offer

KLM chief Leo van Wijk dismissed criticism from shareholders who feel the Air France takeover bid is too low. Speaking at a meeting in Amstelveen on Monday, Wijk said a higher bid was impossible and there were no other parties interested in placing a bid for KLM. The Dutch stockholders association VEB claims KLM is worth EUR 1.5 billion, but Air France has only offered about EUR 785 million. Despite this, KLM shareholders voted to amend the articles of association necessary for the takeover deal to go ahead.

Threatened Fortuyn chauffeur abandons politics

Hans Smolders, the former chauffeur to Pim Fortuyn, has decided to quit politics after he was threatened with a gun at his home last week. The former MP of Fortuyn’s populist LPF had been planning to participate in the Tilburg local council elections withg his own party in 2006. Smolders witnssed the assassination of Fortuyn at the hands of a lone gunman in Hilversum in May 2002.

Ajax riot suspects released

The four Ajax fans arrested in connection with the riot after an Ajax-Feyenoord reserves team clash in Amsterdam last week have been released. One of the suspects was issued with a summons, while a decision over the possible prosecution of the other three suspects has not yet been made, news agency ANP reported. Police are looking for 40 others believed to be involved in the riot.

Pieper attacker appeals sentence

The man sentenced on 7 April to TBS detention with compulsory psychiatric treatment for the stabbing attack on former Philips executive Roel Pieper and his wife Ricka has appealed. The man’s lawyer had demanded during the trial in Haarlem Court that the defendant be sentenced to TBS without conditions.

Man killed after 62m fall from church scaffolding

A man fell 62m to his death as he dismantled scaffolding around the spire of the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft on Tuesday morning. The man was killed instantly, police said. The scaffolding had been used in recent months for restoration work on the historic church, where Queen Juliana was laid to rest in March. Police and the Labour Inspectorate have launched investigations into the death of the workman.

Subject: Dutch news