adSep 4, 2026, 10:59

Minister Van Weel dares to flip off 'Bolle Jos': 'We are going to get him'

Justice Minister David van Weel has vowed to capture fugitive criminal Jos Leijdekkers following a deadly mass shooting in the village of Overasselt. While 32 suspects have been brought to court, officials are working to address the rise in organized criminal violence without labeling the nation a narco-state.

Justice Minister David van Weel has firmly rejected claims that the Netherlands is a narco-state following a violent shooting in the village of Overasselt. The incident involved dozens of armed individuals and resulted in the death of a 51-year-old security guard named Berry. Van Weel explicitly targeted notorious criminal suspect Jos Leijdekkers, known as Bolle Jos, asserting that the state intends to apprehend him and will not succumb to criminal intimidation. Police have already arrested 32 suspects, all of whom have been brought before the Gelderland court on charges of murder or manslaughter.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten emphasized that while the country faces significant threats from organized crime networks, the scale of this specific armed confrontation is highly unusual. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, though Leijdekkers' legal representatives have denied any connection to the violence. Officials have expressed confidence that the immediate danger to the residents of the affected village has passed as the investigation proceeds.

Politics Netherlands World

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Princess Amalia promoted to sergeant 9 months after appointment as corporal

Princess Amalia has been promoted to the rank of sergeant by the Royal Netherlands Navy after serving nine months as a corporal. The promotion took place on the Norwegian vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl in Den Helder as part of her ongoing military internship.

The Greenhouse | I prefer to jump on the facts rather than the barricade

A climate journalist explores the tension between objective reporting and the pressure to advocate for systemic change to combat the climate crisis. The author concludes that journalists should remain factual rather than activist to effectively reach a wide and diverse audience.

Trade with Russia remains lucrative, but companies face risks

Despite 21 rounds of European Union sanctions against Russia, some businesses continue to profit by using third-party countries to bypass export restrictions. Experts warn that while such trade is lucrative, it carries significant legal risks, including criminal prosecution and prison time for those who intentionally circumvent these measures.

Pro-Palestinian protester convicted of group insult, but receives no punishment

A pro-Palestinian protester was convicted of defaming Jewish people for making Holocaust-related remarks during an April demonstration. Although the court also found him guilty of insulting police officers, he received no fine or immediate punishment due to the personal consequences he has already faced from media attention.

Seizure of 'Antifa server' at US request leads to questions and concerns

Dutch authorities have seized a server belonging to the Italian hosting provider Autistici/Inventati at the request of the United States. The U.S. government classifies the company as a terrorist entity, sparking concerns among Dutch digital rights groups and industry associations regarding the precedent for such cross-border legal actions.