Once in a while, a photo of the Dutch Prime minister Mark Rutte on his bike goes viral on social media. A prime minister cycling to work is, for most outside of the Netherlands, a novel and perhaps unnerving picture: ‘’doesn’t he have a security detail?’’
The familiar image of Rutte cycling to work in typical Dutch fashion, often while eating an apple, might be becoming a thing of the past. A recent report revealed his security detail is getting an upgrade after abduction or even murder have been deemed imminent threats. This probably means the end of Rutte’s casual commute, something for which he has been lauded, as it makes him seem relatable and approachable. The source of these threats isn’t entirely clear but it is likely that they are coming from organised crime.
Concern over Rutte’s safety comes at a time when the impact of organised crime on Dutch society has become increasingly visible. Over the last couple years, it has been connected to two high profile murders. In 2019, the lawyer Derk Wiersum was shot dead in front of his house, and in 2021 the famous crime reporter and investigative journalist Peter R. de Vries was also shot after leaving a television studio, passing away in the hospital a few days later. What both of these people had in common was their involvement in the trial of one of Europe’s largest cartels leaders