Man jailed for threatening Dutch celebrities

28 April 2004

AMSTERDAM — A 48-year-old man who sent Dutch politicians and celebrities threatening letters containing bullets has been jailed for 16 months by a court in Rotterdam.

The defendant – identified only as P.S. from Rotterdam – was also sentenced to two years for sending the letters and possession of a weapon, but the final eight months was suspended.

He was also bound over to good behaviour for three years and ordered to attend therapy.

The court heard he sent about 20 letters between May 2002 and September 2003 to leading Dutch personalities, including Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, actress Katja Schuurman and former South Korean World Cup soccer coach and current PSV trainer Guus Hiddink.

Each letter contained death threats and a live bullet.

There was a spate of ‘bullet letters’ in the Netherlands following the assassination of populist politician Pim Fortuyn on 6 May 2002.

It is believed several unconnected people have been behind the threats, and at least two men have already been prosecuted.

Subject: Dutch news