One of the two lawyers currently representing convicted gangland killer Ridouan Taghi has been arrested, the public prosecution department said on Thursday.

Vito Shukrula is suspected of being a member of Taghi’s criminal organisation. He was arrested after visiting his client at the high-security prison in Vught.

The investigation into Shukrula began last December after the AIVD security service reported that he had been passing messages from Taghi to his criminal network. Prosecutors said investigators were then granted permission to monitor his phone calls and other “confidential communications”.

Shukrula, who is being held in solitary confinement, is due to appear in court on Friday for a remand hearing.

The 36-year-old is the third lawyer connected to Taghi to be arrested. In October 2021, his nephew Youssef Taghi was detained and later jailed for 5.5 years. He was followed by Inez Weski in April 2023.

Weski is also suspected of involvement in Taghi’s criminal organisation and is currently on trial. Her lawyers have accused the state of unlawfully detaining her in unsuitable and illegal accommodation for nine days following her arrest.

Ridouan Taghi was sentenced to life in prison in February 2024 for his role in six gangland murders and four attempted killings. He is appealing the conviction.