Dutchman detained in US for 37 years not allowed to serve sentence in the Netherlands

Dutchman Jaitsen Singh, detained in the United States for 37 years, is not allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence in the Netherlands. He had in one summary procedure insisted on the state of the Netherlands for a transfer, but the judge rejected his request.

“We are disappointed and disagree with the outcome,” said lawyer Rachel Imamkhan. “The Singh case is unique and is not sufficiently considered in the decision.” She will consult her client on the possibility of appealing.

Singh, now 76, was sentenced to 56 years in prison in the United States in 1986 for having his wife and daughter murdered. He has always denied being involved. The lawsuit against Singh was lacking, his lawyer said. For example, the prosecutor was later convicted of bribery for purchasing prosecution evidence.

Last year, the House of Representatives passed a motion by a large majority calling on the government to do everything possible to bring Singh, who is in poor health, to the Netherlands. He himself said during summary proceedings that he would like to die with his relatives in the Netherlands.

“ No connection with the Netherlands ”

Singh’s lawyer, Imamkhan, attempted to have him transferred to the Netherlands via a so-called Wots (Criminal Judgments Enforcement Transfer Act) procedure. But the state prosecutor argued in court last month that Suriname-born Singh did not have enough ties to the Netherlands for this. He is said to have lived in the Netherlands for four years and in the United States for thirteen years.

Singh and his lawyer objected that he had a Dutch passport and that Suriname was part of the Dutch kingdom in his youth. He also says he still thinks in Dutch. However, the judge believes that Minister Dekker could reasonably have decided that Singh had no connection with the Netherlands.

Imamkhan does not agree with this. “In our opinion, the judgment also wrongly ignored the fact that Singh has a lot of ties to the Netherlands and that he will also return to the Netherlands after his release.”

Family in VS

Singh fearing that he would die alone in prison in the United States, the judge also finds no reason to take him to the Netherlands. His son and two grandchildren, with whom he has a good relationship, also live in the United States and can visit him, the verdict is.