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| Inside the container police found a dentist chair with straps and handcuffs and other items that could be used for torture.(Netherlands Police) |
The authorities in the Netherlands
have discovered an apparent site of torture, covered by material to insulate
sounds and filled with supposed torture devices, hidden inside shipping
containers.
have discovered an apparent site of torture, covered by material to insulate
sounds and filled with supposed torture devices, hidden inside shipping
containers.
The discovery provides a glimpse into
the criminal world of the Netherlands dominated by large-scale drug production
and trade.
the criminal world of the Netherlands dominated by large-scale drug production
and trade.
The police was tipped off by EncroChat
messages, an encrypted platform that allows users to talk privately between
specially designed devices.
messages, an encrypted platform that allows users to talk privately between
specially designed devices.
The platform was used by criminals, recently decoded by French police
and shared via Europol.
and shared via Europol.
When Dutch police searched the containers they found bags containing
hedge cutters, scalpels and pliers, tools that officers said were “likely
intended to torture victims or at least put them under pressure”.
hedge cutters, scalpels and pliers, tools that officers said were “likely
intended to torture victims or at least put them under pressure”.
Officers raided the site at Wouwse
Plantage on the Dutch-Belgian border on June 22, arresting six men suspected of
kidnapping and hostage taking.
Plantage on the Dutch-Belgian border on June 22, arresting six men suspected of
kidnapping and hostage taking.
They found six shipping containers
which had been converted to what are believed to be “prison cells,”
as well as a stash of weaponry including pruning shears and loppers.
which had been converted to what are believed to be “prison cells,”
as well as a stash of weaponry including pruning shears and loppers.
In each of the cells, handcuffs were
attached to the ceiling and floor, in order to be able to chain someone
standing up with their arms raised,” a statement from the country’s
National Prosecutor’s Office said.
attached to the ceiling and floor, in order to be able to chain someone
standing up with their arms raised,” a statement from the country’s
National Prosecutor’s Office said.
The rooms were finished with noise
isolating panels and heat-insulating foil. One of the units also contained a
dental chair, with straps for feet and arms.
isolating panels and heat-insulating foil. One of the units also contained a
dental chair, with straps for feet and arms.
The sea container with the dental
chair contained bags with objects that were presumably intended to torture or
at least put pressure on victims, the statement added.
chair contained bags with objects that were presumably intended to torture or
at least put pressure on victims, the statement added.
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| Dental chair used for toture |
The police found, among other things,
pruning shears, loppers, a branch saw, scalpels, pliers, extra handcuffs,
fingercuffs, tape, balaclavas, and black cotton bags that can be pulled over
the head. During a search at a home in Rotterdam, 24 kilos of MDMA was also
found. The containers were also fitted with
cameras for remote monitoring.
pruning shears, loppers, a branch saw, scalpels, pliers, extra handcuffs,
fingercuffs, tape, balaclavas, and black cotton bags that can be pulled over
the head. During a search at a home in Rotterdam, 24 kilos of MDMA was also
found. The containers were also fitted with
cameras for remote monitoring.
Officers also found three stolen
delivery vans, two BMWs, seven handguns and a Chinese variant of the AK-47.
delivery vans, two BMWs, seven handguns and a Chinese variant of the AK-47.
In total, 25 weapons were found with
the suspects, the National Prosecutor’s Office said.
the suspects, the National Prosecutor’s Office said.
The discovery of the containers
followed a series of successful raids by UK and European police based on
information from the network, which saw hundreds arrested and more than 27 tons
of drugs seized in the UK and Netherlands.
followed a series of successful raids by UK and European police based on
information from the network, which saw hundreds arrested and more than 27 tons
of drugs seized in the UK and Netherlands.
The six men detained in connection
with the seeming torture site are all from the Netherlands. An Amsterdam court
on Monday ordered their detention for 90 days.
with the seeming torture site are all from the Netherlands. An Amsterdam court
on Monday ordered their detention for 90 days.
Andy Kraag, head of the Dutch National
Investigation Service, said the investigation had given a “great
result”, adding: “Take it from me, many more results will
follow”.
Investigation Service, said the investigation had given a “great
result”, adding: “Take it from me, many more results will
follow”.
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