Dutch prosecutors have charged three men over an alleged kidnapping and extortion case tied to a cryptocurrency dispute in Nieuw-Vennep. The case centers on a May 1 incident in which the victim says he was held captive in a car and pressured to hand over roughly $69,000.
According to prosecutors, the victim was threatened with severe violence if he did not comply. Investigators also recovered screenshots from video that allegedly showed him being taken to a wooded area near Nieuw-Vennep, forced to strip naked, abused, and threatened with publication of the footage as part of the extortion attempt.
Allegations described in court
Prosecutors say the three suspects detained the man against his will while trying to extort money from him in connection with a crypto-related dispute. The victim told investigators he was threatened with a firearm and warned that his eyes would be gouged out and his fingers cut off if he refused.
The evidence cited by investigators includes screenshots from video allegedly showing the victim in a wooded area near Nieuw-Vennep. The material is said to depict humiliating abuse, including the victim being urinated on, and prosecutors say the suspects also threatened to publish the footage to force payment.
Suspect contests part of the case
One of the defendants, identified as 24-year-old Younes B., appeared in court accused of leading what prosecutors described as a violent and intimidating campaign involving degrading acts. He denied threatening the victim with a firearm.
His defense argued that the gun allegation rests only on the victim’s statement. Defense counsel also said Younes B. had invested money with the victim in cryptocurrency and characterized that arrangement as a pyramid scheme, framing the dispute as financial in origin while contesting part of the prosecution’s account.
Possible penalties under Dutch law
The charges carry serious potential penalties under Dutch law. Extortion involving violence to force someone to surrender money or property can bring a prison sentence of up to nine years, with the maximum rising to 12 years when the offense is committed jointly or involves severe violence.
Separate offenses also carry substantial exposure. Abducting or detaining a person against their will is punishable by up to eight years, while hostage-taking can carry a sentence of up to 15 years.
Custody decisions and next hearing
The court ordered Younes B. to be released under strict conditions from Aug. 5, including probation supervision. His brother, who is also a suspect in the case, remains in custody, while the third suspect had already been released earlier.
The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8. At that stage, the court could decide to move the matter forward to a substantive trial, making that hearing the next confirmed step in the case.
Source: news.bitcoin.com