Yesterday at the district court of The Hague, oral arguments were presented in the case concerning the Moluccan Train Hijacking (De Punt, 1977). The case was initiated against the State of the Netherlands by surviving relatives of train hijackers Hansina Uktolseja and Max Papilaja. The surviving relatives are represented by lawyers Liesbeth Zegveld and Brechtje Vossenberg.
Read an article that was published in today's edition of the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad here.
Background
On 23 May 1977 a group of South-Moluccan youth hijacked a train in the Dutch province of Drenthe. On 11 June 1977 the hijacking was ended by use of force. The train was first fired upon by long-range shooters over the course of several minutes, after which five Attack Groups entered the train in order to secure it. The retired marines that have now been heard as witnesses were part of Attack Groups 2 and 5, who subsequently shot and killed hijackers Hansina Uktolseja and Max Papilaja.
Previously:
- Train hijacking ‘De Punt’: surviving relatives and a survivor hold the State liable
- Surviving relatives of of executed Moluccan train hijackers summon the Dutch State to court re: 'De Punt’
- 4 November 2016: evidentiary hearing re: executions by State during ending of train hijacking at 'De Punt' in 1977
- Claims re: Moluccan train hijacking (1977) not time-barred; court orders further investigation
- Court prohibits appeal against interlocutory verdict of 1 February 2017 re: 'De Punt'; case will move forward
- Witness hearings of retired marines re: the Moluccan Train Hijacking (De Punt, 1977) over
- Interview with Liesbeth Zegveld regarding De Punt