Overview
- Prosecutors in Arnhem asked Wednesday for a 10-year prison term for Koert H., saying he lit paper in roll containers by the SoLow store and triggered the fire that destroyed a block of shops and homes.
- CCTV and on-camera audio place Koert H., Mark V. and Ricky N. in the Varkensstraat that night, though the footage does not show anyone starting the fire.
- Forensic analysts said some spoken phrases on the recordings match Koert’s voice, while other clips could not be tied to any suspect and parts were hard to hear.
- Koert denied starting the blaze and his lawyer asked for acquittal, arguing the objective proof does not fix the ignition on him.
- Prosecutors said the file shows no shared plan and asked the court to acquit Mark V. and Ricky N., as victims on Tuesday described heavy losses and the court recorded 21 compensation claims.