This morning, a Judge of the Court of Justice handed down a verdict in the criminal case brought by the Public Prosecutor’s Office against the man D.E. (29). The Judge found D.E. guilty.
It was understood that the Judge found the Prosecutor’s demand of 5 years in prison understandable, given the severity of the case. However, the Judge imposed a sentence for D.E. that means he will remain under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor’s Office for a total of 9 years.
In the courtroom, victims B. and T. were present, while victim S. listened to the Judge’s decision via video conference from the Netherlands.
GUILTY In the evaluation, the Judge stated it was legally proven that D.E. hacked the phone of and blackmailed victim B. The Judge noted there was no proof that D.E. hacked T.’s phone, but he did indeed blackmail her. Regarding the rape of victim S., the Judge addressed the defense attorney’s request for acquittal, but ultimately found D.E. guilty of rape. The Judge found S.’s statements to be reliable and consistent, providing sufficient detail and supported by evidence, including phone calls mentioning “D.” D.E. claimed the calls were fabricated to pressure him, but the Judge did not find this credible.
SENTENCING The Judge considered that for years, D.E. pressured and blackmailed the women to obtain more nude photos, threatening to publish what he already had. Beyond this, he raped victim S. The Judge emphasized that a clear signal must be sent that hacking and blackmail will not be tolerated.
However, the Judge took into account D.E.’s mental health. A psychiatrist and psychologist indicated that D.E. has mental health issues and is less responsible for his actions. They recommended 2 to 3 years of outpatient treatment rather than inpatient care. To prevent further victims, the Judge prioritized ensuring D.E. receives proper treatment.
9 YEARS UNDER SUPERVISION The Judge sentenced D.E. to 48 months (4 years) in prison, of which 6 months are suspended with a probation period of 5 years. Mandatory treatment is a condition. This creates a total period of 9 years where D.E. remains under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
DAMAGES AND RESTRICTIONS
- Victim S: Awarded over €2,000 in damages and 15,000 florins for immaterial damages (pain and suffering). If D.E. fails to pay, he faces an additional 60 days in jail. He must also pay 1,000 florins in legal fees.
- Victim T: Awarded approximately 17,000 florins. Failure to pay results in 60 days in jail.
- No Contact: D.E. is strictly prohibited from communicating with victims T., B., and S. in any form.