Corruption in the Netherlands: ‘A many-headed monster with different manifestations’

The upper world and the underworld are intertwined

What does play a major role in the Netherlands and is a major concern is the interweaving of the upper and underworld. “We all know the reports about subversion, the stronghold around Taghi, the production of drugs and the key position that the Netherlands has in the ports.” According to Slingerland, we must pay attention to the fact that corruption always plays a role in serious crime. “To import illegal drugs you just need a military police officer or a security officer who turns a blind eye or just doesn’t check that container.”

Subversion

Slingerland explains that we must view corruption as part of subversion. “We take subversion seriously, but we do not understand that corruption, bribing officials or turning a blind eye is an essential part of it.”

We should not think that this will pass us by, says the lecturer. “Worldwide, corruption is the evil that causes so much misery in so many places. Many countries are destroyed by corruption, established democracies are destroyed by corruption. We should never think that we can sit back and let this pass us by.”