Hells Angels face videotape police inquiry

26 February 2004

AMSTERDAM — Police have decided to investigate an incident at a Hells Angels clubhouse in the southern town of Oirsbeek, where two camera crews were allegedly assaulted while filming the gang’s premises.

The Dutch and German camera crews were sent to the clubhouse on 16 February after three gang members were found shot dead in Echt two days earlier.

But several gang members grabbed the video tapes from the camera crews. One of the tapes allegedly contains evidence of the assault.

The gang promised police they would return the videotapes after the funerals of the three murdered men, but it was later revealed they burned them, news agency ANP reported on Thursday. Police initially decided to let the matter rest there.

But after consulting with prosecution officials, police said they have decided to investigate in order to determine if criminal proceedings can be initiated. The film crews are not prepared to lodge a police report out of fear of reprisals.

Police inquiries into the murder continue. It was previously revealed that a fourth man was seen leaving the De Nomads clubhouse with the three victims on 11 February. His whereabouts have not yet been determined.

Subject: Dutch news