The repatriation, prosecution and supervision of people who went to Syria during the civil war, and have since returned to the Netherlands, has cost the government many millions of euros. The exact amounts are not yet clear, according to a letter sent to the Tweede Kamer by Justice and Security Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz and Legal Protection Minister Franc Weerwind.
The police arrested a 29-year-old man from Utrecht on Friday for drug trafficking, the police reported on Saturday. According to De Telegraaf, it concerns Anouar Taghi, the cousin of the alleged crime lord Ridouan Taghi. However, a police spokesperson did not want to confirm whether it is indeed Taghi's cousin. The suspect is in restriction and is only allowed to have contact with his lawyer, the police reported.
Authorities in the Netherlands arrested prominent criminal defense attorney Inez Weski on Friday, according to De Telegraaf. Weski, who is from Rotterdam, is the long-time legal representative to the controversial former president of Suriname, Desi Bouterse, and is the attorney leading the defense of Ridouan Taghi, the alleged criminal underworld boss and primary defendant in the Marengo proceedings.