Sentencing Confirmed for Amsterdam Girl's Kidnappers
The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that the sentences against five men who kidnapped the Amsterdam girl Insiya nine years ago will not be retried. The court upheld the penalties following the Advocate General's recommendation in July.
The Kidnapping Incident
On 29 September 2016, multiple men forcibly abducted 2-year-old Insiya from her grandmother’s home in Amsterdam. Her father, Shehzad Hemani, who is the main suspect, organized the kidnapping by hiring an international team and took her to India. It is believed that the now 11-year-old girl remains there.
Family and Legal Proceedings
- Insiya's mother, Nadia Rashid, has been without contact with her for nine years.
- The Public Prosecution Service described the kidnapping as a thoroughly planned operation.
- Six kidnappers were previously sentenced to up to four years in prison.
- Among them is Hemani’s cousin, Imran S., who is believed to be in India.
- Shehzad Hemani received an 8.5-year prison sentence on appeal in May 2024.
Extradition and Fair Trial Issues
Despite repeated requests, Indian authorities have refused to extradite the suspects. Hemani submitted a cassation petition to the Supreme Court, claiming he was denied a fair trial. He sought to participate in his trial via video link due to an arrest warrant preventing his physical presence. The Court of Appeal rejected this request.
According to the Supreme Court, "The Court of Appeal was permitted to make this decision, and that was not grounds for retrying the case."
Author's summary: Nine years after Insiya was kidnapped in Amsterdam, the Supreme Court has upheld the sentences against the kidnappers as her fate remains unknown in India.