Rotterdam-based lawyer Haroon Raza has declared himself ready to take on the defense of Ridouan Taghi in the appeal of the high-profile Marengo trial. The announcement was first reported by the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad (AD).
The Marengo trial is one of the largest criminal cases in Dutch history, focusing on a series of murders and attempted murders allegedly ordered by a criminal organization. Ridouan Taghi, identified by prosecutors as the organization's leader, was sentenced to life imprisonment in February 2024.
According to the AD report, Raza's involvement is contingent on the formation of a new defense team of five lawyers. This requirement stems from the complex and extensive nature of the appeal proceedings. Taghi's previous lead lawyer, Inez Weski, was arrested in April 2023 on suspicion of passing messages from her client to the criminal network.
The appeal process for the Marengo case is ongoing, with hearings scheduled to continue throughout 2026. The court in Amsterdam is reviewing the convictions and sentences of Taghi and several co-defendants.
