Justice is facing a mysterious case in Kerkrade. In late August, a Serbian man was gagged and held in a basement there, but exactly what took place is unclear.

Two suspects were detained at the time, however: Dutch men Danny H. (35) and Ron M. (37).Tied and beaten
According to the victim, these men are responsible for his hostage-taking and the additional violence. For example, the Serb said he was punched and kicked while tied up with tiewraps. He stated that despite this, he managed to escape under his own power. He then went to the police and the residence was searched. A tarp containing his blood was found and his injuries fit the described beatings and the story about the tiewraps.

oegoslav Rico Verhoeven

Danny and Ron, however, claim not to have been involved in the hostage-taking. They point to Sasja P., another Serb. This man, because of his stature and origin (former Yugoslavia) is called Yugo-bear, one person even describes him as a Yugoslav Rico Verhoeven. He was friends with the victim and lived with him for months. The duo lived in a property owned by Danny in Kerkrade; the basement of that property was the stage of the hostage taking.

Sasha untraceable

Sasja and the victim allegedly got into an argument, which resulted in the hostage situation. When police arrived at the residence, Sasja was also present there. However, he was not arrested or identified as a suspect. And also when Danny and Ron were later arrested at a pizzeria, Sasja was present. The police also left him untouched at that time. Later, when he came more emphatically into view, he proved untraceable. Justice does not know where he is.

Crucial statements

And he is not the only key player who has flown; the Serbian victim has also disappeared. Danny and Ron are therefore released on remand. The judge believes that there are grounds to keep the two in pretrial detention, but also states that additional statements from the two Serbs are crucial. "The question is whether and when they will be available," he explained. "We foresee that this could take a long period of time. So can you hold a suspect for that long?"

Realm of fables

The judge has instructed justice officials to track down and further question the two Serbian protagonists. Danny and Ron will be released Thursday morning. "Rightly so," thinks attorney Peer Szymkowiak. He stands by Danny. "The only hard evidence is the declarant's story and that story can be relegated to the realm of fables." Serge Weening, defending Ron, thinks the judge's decision is to be commended. "It is a logical reasoning, but not every judge does this," he said.

The defendant(s) in this case are assisted by: