AMSTERDAM - Ludgardo S., the suspect of Curaçaoan origin from Tilburg, has through his lawyer stated that he played no role in the murder of crime journalist Peter R. de Vries. During a hearing yesterday, he emphasized his innocence and rejected the accusations from the Public Prosecutor. The prosecution suspects 35-year-old Ludgardo of conducting reconnaissance and searching for information on the internet prior to the attack, for which they had demanded a fourteen-year prison sentence.
Ludgardo, who traveled from Curaçao to the Netherlands on May 22, 2021, is considered by the justice system as one of the scouts. He is said to have been in Amsterdam on June 11 for reconnaissance. However, his lawyer argues that Ludgardo was in the city that day for recreational purposes, such as "chilling, going out, eating, and checking out women."
He also denies involvement in a visit on July 1 with two other suspects, which the prosecution sees as reconnaissance at the RTL Boulevard studio and the garage where De Vries parked his car.
Furthermore, Ludgardo does not recall what he did the night before the assassination attempt, a moment when the Public Prosecutor suggests that the attack was supposed to take place. Contacts between Ludgardo and co-defendant Divainy K., also from Curaçao, are, according to the defense, unrelated to the attack but rather involve 'possibly illegal goods trade.'
Peter R. de Vries was shot on July 6, 2021, after a broadcast of RTL Boulevard and succumbed to his injuries nine days later. The Public Prosecutor suspects that the attack was carried out on the orders of Ridouan Taghi because De Vries assisted the crown witness in the Marengo trial. Taghi denies any involvement and is not a suspect in this case.
On Friday, the defense's pleas for the alleged hitman Krystian M. and the shooter Delano G. are scheduled, both facing life sentences, as well as for the alleged driver of the getaway car, Kamil E. The verdict in this case is expected in June.