Amsterdam official faces 12 years for allegedly selling data to criminals

A former municipal official in Amsterdam, Jim B., faces a requested 12-year prison sentence for allegedly selling personal data from government systems to criminal networks. The Public Prosecution Service claims B. provided hundreds of inquiries, including addresses of targets and their family members, for approximately 50 euros per request.

Authorities link the information provided by B. to at least 95 violent incidents, including 36 explosions, 14 threatening or bullet-riddled letters, eight shootings, two attempted murders, and one kidnapping. The prosecution also seeks a 15-year ban on holding government positions and the recovery of roughly 24,000 euros in alleged illicit earnings.

Two information brokers, Rishie K. and Gillian H., are also being prosecuted, with the prosecution seeking 10-year sentences for each. While B. admits to accessing and sharing data he was not permitted to use, his defense attorney argues that there is insufficient evidence to directly link the data leaks to specific violent crimes and disputes the claims of financial gain, stating B. did not live a life of luxury.