Amsterdam Apple shop hostage-taker sought 200M-euro ransom

Amsterdam

On this picture from video, police collect exterior the Apple Retailer in Amsterdam on Feb. 22, 2022, amid stories that an armed assailant within the retailer is holding a hostage. (Inter Visible Studio through AP)

AMSTERDAM --
A gunman who held a hostage for hours within the Apple Retailer in Amsterdam demanded a ransom of 200 million euros (greater than US$226 million) in cryptocurrencies earlier than he was run over by police as he chased his hostage out of the store, police and prosecutors mentioned Wednesday.


The tense, five-hour standoff paralyzed considered one of Amsterdam's hottest nightlife neighbourhoods for hours Tuesday as scores of closely armed police surrounded the shop, managing to free about 70 individuals from the constructing that homes the store earlier than the suspect was detained.


Police Chief Frank Paauw mentioned the suspect, a 27-year-old man from Amsterdam armed with a handgun and an computerized weapon and carrying camouflaged clothes, was run over by police as he chased his fleeing hostage. The hostage was a Bulgarian man, police mentioned. They did not launch his id.


"The hostage performed a form of hero's position by, in that break up second that he had, forcing a breakthrough on this state of affairs," Paauw mentioned at a information convention within the early hours of the morning. "In any other case it may have been a really lengthy and ugly evening and possibly longer."


After the suspect was run over, a robotic checked him for explosives as snipers in close by buildings took intention, inexperienced laser beams from their weapons clearly seen within the evening sky. In contacts with police, the suspect had threatened to blow himself up.


Police mentioned Wednesday that he had "explosive parts," however that they weren't armed.


Paauw mentioned the person was taken to a hospital with severe accidents. He remained hospitalized Wednesday underneath police guard. Police mentioned they have been investigating his actual motive.


Investigations have been persevering with Wednesday, together with looking out two properties in Amsterdam. The Apple Retailer was listed on the corporate's web site as being closed Wednesday and Thursday. Bullet holes could possibly be seen within the retailer's home windows.

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