Ridouan Taghi, the alleged gang leader on trial for his role in a string of killings, will conduct his defence himself for the time being, his prison lawyer Thomas van der Horst has confirmed.

Taghi has written to the court currently hearing the Marengo gangland killing case, saying that he will be in charge of his own defence, following the arrest of his trial lawyer Inez Weski. She is suspected of passing on information on Taghi’s behalf and remains in prison in solitary confinement. 

Taghi said that he will have some legal support and is looking for a new counsel. Until then, he will conduct his defence himself. Taghi faces life in jail for ordering a string of murders. 

Weski is just one of several lawyers who have represented him during the process, which started in 2019.

Taghi is one of 17 suspects in the Marengo case and was for several years the Netherlands’ most wanted man. He is accused of ordering six killings between 2015 and 2017 in the so-called ‘Mocro mafia’ drugs war.

As yet is is not clear what the impact of Weski’s arrest will be on the trial. The case is now winding down and the verdict is due to be announced on October 20, but legal experts told the Telegraaf that may no longer be achievable.