Ridouan T., the main suspect in the Marengo trial, is facing difficulties in finding legal representation after his lawyer was arrested in April. The court has expressed concern over this growing issue.
The suspect’s previous lawyer, Vito Shukrula, was arrested on suspicion of acting as a conduit for his client. This has left T. without legal assistance in his criminal case.
Shukrula is the third lawyer of T. to be arrested. Earlier, his nephew and lawyer, Youssef T., was convicted of passing on messages. Another former lawyer, Inez Weski, is also under suspicion for similar actions, with her criminal case still ongoing.
T. expressed his dismay at the arrest of Shukrula, stating that he will never find a lawyer who works so hard for him again. He dismissed the accusations against the lawyer as ridiculous and a show.
T. claims he has repeatedly tried to find new lawyers but has been unsuccessful. Currently, he only has a detention lawyer and a lawyer assisting him in European matters.
In October 2024, when T. was previously without legal assistance, the Amsterdam dean of the legal profession offered two lawyers specializing in fraud cases. However, T. ultimately chose Shukrula, Carlo Crince le Roy, and Sultan Kat, who had contacted him through acquaintances. Following Shukrula’s arrest, Crince le Roy and Kat resigned from the defense.
T. hopes the dean will not offer the same two lawyers again, stating he wants legal assistance from someone with experience in liquidation cases.
During a recent procedural hearing, one of the prosecutors emphasized that the Public Prosecution Service team handling the Marengo liquidation process had no involvement in Shukrula’s arrest and were unaware of it. The prosecutor stated they were not happy with the consequences of Shukrula’s arrest for T. and the appeal, and that they have no interest in frustrating his defense.
T.’s attendance at Marengo hearings is unusual. He was present on Monday to discuss his legal assistance. The chairman of the court inquired whether it would be less burdensome for T. to attend hearings in Vught, instead of Schiphol, due to the extensive security procedures.
T. responded by describing the intrusive security procedures he undergoes during transport to Schiphol, including being handcuffed naked and subjected to rectal searches.
The Marengo appeal, involving fourteen suspects, will continue this week with witness hearings. The next procedural hearing is scheduled for September 2nd, with the court hoping T. will have found new lawyers by then.