Fugitive Oussama B. captured in Paris after aiding preparation of Derk Wiersum murder

Authorities apprehended Oussama B. in Paris after a months-long manhunt, ending his flight abroad. He had previously been sentenced in a higher-appeal proceeding to more than eleven years in prison for participation in the planning of the 2019 murder of lawyer Derk Wiersum. Wiersum, who defended Nabil B., a crown witness in the Marengo case against Ridouan Taghi, was shot dead outside his residence.

The court found B. part of a group that scouted Wiersum’s house and office and provided the vehicles used by the shooters. He was also convicted of involvement in a criminal organisation and of attempted murder stemming from a violent assault in Utrecht in October 2019. His attorney, Wesley van Soest, said B. had hoped for greater support from the Public Prosecution Service to facilitate his return and had sought a plea agreement that was not accepted. Van Soest anticipates B.’s extradition to Dutch authorities in the near future.