WILLEMSTAD, AMSTERDAM - Curaçao-born Raily Bart, suspected of involvement in the murder of Dutch crime journalist Peter R. de Vries, continues to refuse to speak about the case. The 39-year-old, who was arrested in April while serving a long prison sentence in Curaçao for his role in a deadly 2014 shooting at Hato Airport, has remained silent ever since his arrest.

The appeal trial against nine suspects in the De Vries murder began today in the Netherlands. Bart was called to testify but provided no new information, invoking his right to remain silent in response to every question.

According to the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM), Bart allegedly played a leading role in the Antillean branch of the criminal organization involved in De Vries’s assassination. Prosecutors claim he directed the group from his prison cell in Curaçao, coordinating with others linked to the murder plot.

Peter R. de Vries, one of the Netherlands’ most prominent investigative journalists, was shot in Amsterdam in July 2021 and died several days later from his injuries. His killing shocked the Netherlands and led to a large-scale investigation into organized crime networks believed to be behind the attack.

Despite repeated attempts by the court to obtain more details, Bart’s continued silence leaves many questions unanswered about the international connections and command structure behind the journalist’s murder.