Willem Holleeder,  who was jailed in the 1980s for kidnapping beer magnate Freddie Heineken, should be jailed for life for ordering five gangland killings between 2003 and 2006, the public prosecution department said on Friday.

Holleeder’s mega-trial which started in February last year is now drawing to a close.  In total, 62 witnesses were called, including Holleeder’s sister Astrid and ex-partner Sonja.

The victims, Cor van Hout, Kees Houtman, Thomas van der Bijl, Willem Endstra and John Mieremet, were all involved in criminal dealings with Holleeder.

The public prosecutor claims Holleeder, Dino Soerel and Stanley Hillis headed a criminal organisation. Soerel was sentenced to life earlier while Hillis was shot dead in 2011.

Holleeder denies all charges. His lawyers said they need five days to prepare their plea which starts on March 7. The verdict is expected in July.

Holleeder was released from jail in 2012 after serving five years for his part in blackmailing three property tycoons.

He was earlier jailed in the 1980s for kidnapping beer magnate Freddie Heineken. The equivalent of €16m was paid in 1983 to free Heineken and his chauffeur Ab Doderer, much of which was found buried in woods near Zeist shortly after they were freed.

The hottest ticket in town is a seat at the Holleeder trial