Arrest of Mr. Holleeder

Last night all the major networks in Holland brought the news of the arrest of former kidnapper and suspected top-criminal Willem Holleeder.

This man's name has come up so often in so many investigations, it was only a matter of time before the public prosecution would have him arrested. Apparently, it was not so easy to make a case against him even though his name has been connected to assassinations, extortion and
violence.

Nothing spectacular and good riddance I would say, if there were not one thing that really bugs me about this man's arrest. His lawyer as well as renowned crime reporter Peter R. de Vries, both appearing as often as possible on TV and in the tabloids as possible, complained that the
police violated an agreement that they would not arrest him on the street but instead ask him to come to the nearest police station and let himself be arrested there.

Many newspapers carried this news as if this is normal: the police agreeing with possible suspects that they'd be arrested in a particular manner. My first indignant surprise goes to this practice. What the f*ck is this? Since when do suspects have the right to make such agreements. Furthermore, why should the police, even if somebody made such a deal, observe it? In fact, I would go so far as to argue that precisely because such a deal was made, the police had a very good reason to make the biggest public splash about this guy's arrest, just to send the message that this is a right suspects do not have: to dictate the manner and timing of their arrest.

As for the role of Mr. De Vries and Mr. Moskowicz, I really hope the investigation turns up some real dirt on both of them as their sanctimonious indignation whenever it suits their purpses is too much to stomache...