SITTARD - "No one can explain to the victims' relatives why suspects can get a maximum of two years in prison for dissolving their bodies in hydrochloric acid. It is degrading what they did."
With those words, prosecutor David van Kuppeveld yesterday opposed the lifting of the pre-trial detention of two of the six suspects of the so-called acid murders. He aimed his arrows especially at Ron van K.(53) and Michel L. (26), who live in Belgium. The latter is being prosecuted with his brother Maurice (21), father Hub (58), mother Els(58) and fugitive sister Rachelle (20) by the prosecution. A family friend, Ron van K.(53), is also considered a suspect. All six are suspected to have been involved in the murder of Iraqi Mouhammed Al Jader in 2011. Maurice L. is also alleged to have killed Al Jader and his long-time associate Alan Gergeri in 2009. All those involved are held responsible for having the bodies dissolved in hydrochloric acid. Yesterday the court in Maastricht held a so-called pro forma case in which the lawyers of four suspects could submit their requests for an investigation. In it, lawyer Ivo van den Bergh demanded the lifting of the pre-trial detention of his client, Michel L., who has been detained for eight months. He would not have shot Al Jader himself nor planned the murder. Furthermore, he would have already been detained long enough for making the bodies of both killed Iraqis disappear.
Prosecutor Van Kuppeveld, however, pointed to statements by witnesses. To one of them, Michel L. allegedly said that he gave Al Jader the "mercy shot" because he could not stand the ranting of the man who had already been hit several times. Just for solving the two corpses, the officer will demand the maximum sentence of two years, he announced.
The officer also opposed the release of Ron van K., who allegedly did not shoot Al Jader himself. Van K. is cooperating with the prosecution. The court yesterday followed the prosecution and refused the release of both suspects.Content of the case will not be heard until 2013.
