NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 15:13
The police arrested a suspect last month for blackmailing comedian and presenter André van Duin. The 61-year-old suspect had falsely accused Van Duin (76) and wanted to see a lot of money.
Exactly what the case was about has not been disclosed. At the beginning of February, Van Duin reported threats, which is the legal term for blackmail without violence or threat of violence.
According to Van Duin’s lawyer and the Public Prosecution Service, the blackmailer has confessed and apologized. Van Duin accepted it. This is the end of the matter for them.
Conditions
The suspect will not appear in court, but must comply with certain conditions for the next two years. For example, the person may not commit criminal offenses.
In a press release, Van Duin, who does not want to comment further on the matter, says that he hopes that the matter has made it clear that “famous people have not been declared outlaws in this digital age”.
“A false accusation or fabrication can get a lot of attention in a short period of time. With the danger that such a falsehood will be adopted by juice channels or social media sites. The next step is for the fabrication to take on a life of its own as a ‘possible truth'” , says Van Duin.