Man who was arrested on A2 due to the threatening situation around John van den Heuvel released again: ‘Will remain a suspect’

“I have just been informed of the reasons for the release by the police. I have been told that there is insufficient evidence against the suspect but the investigation is continuing. I await further developments,” says Van den Heuvel.

The man was arrested on Thursday afternoon on the highway between Maarssen and Breukelen. Van den Heuvel then said that the police action had to do with his safety. Last Friday, the examining magistrate of the court in Amsterdam decided that the man had to stay longer. Now there appears to be insufficient evidence to extend that pre-trial detention, says a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service.

The police investigation continues. The man is therefore still formally suspected of preparing a crime that carries a prison sentence of eight years or more, the spokesman said.

Balaclava and crypto phone

The journalist said on Saturday that his security officers believed he was being followed by a car. According to the crime journalist, a balaclava and several telephones, including a crypto telephone, were found in the suspect’s car.

The suspect’s lawyer said on Saturday that her client was not aware that Van den Heuvel was in the car. She said he was driving too fast and “maybe too close to cars.” According to Veerle Hammerstein, her client stated from the start that he came from work. He would have stopped immediately after a stop sign from the police. He “cooperated with the investigation,” the lawyer said. “No criminal goods were found in his car.”