11 things I thought during the Holleeder evening

Last night, RTL 4 aired the Holleeder tape. This made for a well-filled television evening that started with DWDD and ended with Jinek, which was so exciting that I, should it ever happen, have a Zomergast moment to grab.

1. The broadcast itself

Okay, I didn't quite understand Luuk Ikink's role in this. Nothing against Luuk Ikink further, Beau was also perfectly fine. But what a well-made program this was. Honestly, I understand that Ficq and colleagues categorize this under improper journalism, as there was no counter-interrogation, but where I was a bit afraid beforehand to watch dry television, it was clear, exciting, and beautifully made.

2. Why is no one wondering about this?

I apparently am really the only one, but it could very well be that, master strategist that Holleeder is, he took into account that Peter R. de Vries would release this tape earlier than after his death. Everyone attaches high value to the truthfulness of this tape because, they say, Holleeder would have had no other intention than to tell the truth because it concerned a codicil. But we know that Holleeder is precisely so good at manipulating people and playing chess games, why would he give this to Peter R. de Vries who is also a journalist and not exactly his best friend? Did he not spin this all exactly like that and are we not all falling for it now? Because regarding liquidations, he wisely keeps his mouth shut.

3. Fascinated by that voice

It was of course high in ‘what’- and ‘they said’-content, but I cannot deny that I think Holleeder has a pleasant way of telling stories and that you understand why people have often fallen for his charms.

4. That was not extortion

‘Nooooo Peet, I was still getting money from Endstra, so that’s not extortion if you just ask for it back.’ But something in me says that this did not happen with a third payment reminder.

5. Neighbor and Neighbor

Okaaaaay, at Jinek, lawyer Nico Meijering (who is a colleague of Bénédicte Ficq) refers to Peter R. de Vries and John van den Heuvel as Neighbor and Neighbor. He was talking about the top of Dutch crime journalism. That doesn’t make your own media appearance very strong, Mr. Meijering.

6. Long toes

When Eva Jinek later in the broadcast casually asks Nico Meijering if we should be careful with the use of the word ‘liar’ (referring to a scene in the British House of Commons), he reacts as if 16 bees are stinging him in the butt at the same time. ‘Do you want to get me on that again or something?’ Mr. Meijering is particularly angry.

7. A monster

A monster, that’s how Bénédicte Ficq is referred to by Willem Holleeder. If she were a monster, I wonder how he would label himself.

8. Astrid and Sonja

I am so curious where Astrid and Sonja watched last night's broadcast, I hope on their mother’s leather couch with a lovingly made cup of tea.

9. Main issue and side issue

The tape has been released because it would be important for the trial. But it’s now more about the role of Bénédicte Ficq than about the other facts. And I find that quite remarkable to mention. I think in any case that the annual drink of criminal lawyers, if it even exists, will be a lot less cozy, even though it all happened eight years ago.

10. Just a bit about that dean and that duty of silence

What I also didn’t understand is that Meijering ignored the dean's urgent request not to talk to the press and just sat down at Jinek and later in the broadcast said that he could not answer some questions. Because the dean would still be investigating it...

11. Last thing I didn’t understand

Is that RTL Late Night didn’t stick a thick fat theme broadcast at the end of this. I switched from Jinek to Late Night and saw Tim Douwsma talking about Friesland there. Nothing against Douwsma, but I want a whole broadcast with involved lawyers. I had seen enough of Peter R., that was also a bit easy. Of course, we also got Ottolenghi as a dessert at Jinek, but that was not the channel that had the biggest revelation to its credit. If you treat something this big, keep unpacking and give me clarification, not Douwsma.