A 56-year-old man from Helmond was in court recently. He was sentenced to three years in prison for human trafficking.
The man unlawfully helped refugees obtain residence permits. He did so in his capacity as a legal advisor from his Eindhoven office. He is, therefore, prohibited from practising foreign law for five years.
The defendant says he was acting within the scope of his duties. However, the man helped his clients invent and adapt parts of their flight stories. He also changed conversion stories and event dates.
Subversion
The court stated that the man undermined government policy with this behaviour. His actions could lead to the asylum system becoming increasingly strict. It added that this conduct contributes to fewer and fewer people supporting the asylum system.
Between 2015 and 2018, the man helped 14 people to remain in the Netherlands. They were mainly of Iranian descent. The court expresses its concern that the defendant remains convinced of the correctness of his actions.
Source: Studio040
Translator: Bob
Editor: Melinda Walraven
