Ex-lawyer Taghi denies having passed on messages to the outside world

Vito Shukrula, the former lawyer of Ridouan Taghi, denies that he was guilty of passing on messages from his client or other criminal facts. His lawyers say that.

Shukrula was arrested last month on suspicion of participation in the criminal organization of Taghi. Last December, the Shukrula investigation began. Intelligence Service AIVD reported to the Public Prosecution Service that Shukrula would have passed on messages from Taghi to the outside world and to the criminal network of Taghi.

According to Shukrula’s lawyers, it becomes “clear that the accusations must have been due to serious misunderstandings” at the AIVD. Shukrula would have made it known from the start to “and want to remove the misunderstandings”. But because of his duty of confidentiality, he must first talk about this with the Amsterdam Bar Association, according to Shukrula’s lawyers. To that end, Shukrula has still not had the opportunity, they say.

Shukrula has been the Taghi counselor since November last year. He is the third lawyer who has been arrested. Two years ago, former punishmentwriter Inez Weski was arrested and in 2021 Youssef T., the cousin of Ridouan, was arrested.

Taghi said earlier through his other lawyers that he had not passed on messages via Shukrula or his other lawyers from the extra secure institution in Vught. Taghi was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Marengo process last February, which now serves on appeal.