Hat tip Ben
-Volkskrant
Peter R. de Vries, a well-known crime reporter in the Netherlands, has been shot and seriously wounded in Amsterdam on this date. De Vries was reportedly on a hit list from Moroccan Mafia leader Radouan Taghi, who is presently being tried for several murders in the Netherlands. Details are still coming in, but it appears three suspects have been arrested.
We will have more shortly from the Netherlands.
*Update (from NOS.nl) Translation by Fousesquawk.
https://nos.nl/artikel/2388250-peter-r-de-vries-vecht-voor-zijn-leven-drie-verdachten-aangehouden
Peter R. de Vries fighting for his life. Three suspects arrested
Peter R. de Vries is severely wounded and is fighting for his life. That is what Amsterdam Mayor Halsema said at a press conference about the attack upon the crime reporter. She called him a national hero and a courageous journalist and spoke of a brutal, cowardly crime.
Amsterdam Police Chief Paauw said that three suspects are in custody, among them, the possible shooter. He matches the description that the police earlier put out this evening. Two of them were arrested in a car on the A4 Highway. The third suspect was arrested in Amsterdam.
Reacting to questions from journalists about the security of Peter R. de Vries, the chief prosecutor, De Beukelaer said that for security reasons, announcements are never made, so not now as well.
Halsema praised de Vries. "He stands up for people in need, for the elderly, for a murdered child, or people who have been unjustly convicted. He keeps the investigative authorities sharp and thus, the rule of law on track."
The out-going cabinet is very shocked by the attack, out-going Prime Minister Rutte and (Justice) Minister Grapperhaus announced after the Halsem press conference. Rutte spoke of "an attack on free journalism".
Shot in the head
De Vries was shot down on the street earlier in the evening around 19:30. It occurred on the Lange Leidsedwarstraat (street) in the center of Amsterdam, not far from the RTL Boulevard studio where he had been a guest. His condition immediately appeared serious because it was quickly clear that he had been hit in the head.
At the moment of the attack, there were many people on the street, and many also saw the attempted murder. Halsema announced that victim assistance is available for them.
According to Halsema, the 64-year-old reporter is far from finished with his work. She said that her thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.
The latest news on the attack on reporter Peter R. de Vries can also be followed on our live blog.
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*Update 7-7-21: The third suspect described above, who was arrested separately in Amsterdam, has been released according to Dutch media. The two arrested on the A4 Highway remain in custody. According to the Belgian Dutch-language news outlet, De Morgen, the two men in custody are described as a 35-year-old man of Polish background and a 21-year-old "Rotterdamer".
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