On 9 November 1983, one of the most shocking crimes had ever happened in the Netherlands. This was the kidnapping of Freddy Heineken, the then managing director of the Heineken beer brand, and his driver Ab Doderer. The incident is known not only for its execution, but also for the subsequent sleuthing and legal battle. In this blog, I will recount the Heineken kidnapping and take you through the story of crime, suspense and justice.
The plan and the kidnapping
The kidnapping was carried out by a group of five men: Willem Holleeder, Frans Meijer, Jan Boellaard, Cor van Hout and Martin Erkamps. This plan was well prepared and started on a Wednesday afternoon in Amsterdam. Freddy Heineken and his driver Ab Doderer left the headquarters of the Heineken brewery. They were then ambushed and pushed into a van. They were then taken to a secret location in a shed in Amsterdam-Zuidoost. This shed had been set up months before to keep them trapped in it.
In the shed, Heineken and Doderer were held in soundproof and isolated cells. The kidnappers thought about everything, including concrete walls, handcuffs and steel doors, so that the men could not escape. They wanted a ransom of 35 million guilders (about 16 million euros), which is an awful lot of money.
The negotiations
The police and the Heineken family soon received a ransom demand. These negotiations were difficult, but the police tried to bring the kidnappers back safely. During the negotiations, the kidnappers had used several advertisements in newspapers and used phones or signals to keep in touch. All these they did to keep their identities secret.
On 28 November 1983, after 3 weeks in captivity, the Heineken family finally paid a large part of the ransom. Soon after, the police managed to free Freddy Heineken and Ab Doderer from this shed. They were found in reasonable health.
The hunt for the kidnappers
After the liberation, the manhunt for the perpetrators began. Willem Holleeder and Cor van Hout were the leaders of the group and they had fled to France where they were eventually arrested. The whole process of delivering them back to the Netherlands was difficult and took years. However, the other perpetrators had already been arrested and tried.
The trial was big news in the Netherlands and the kidnappers were sentenced to years in prison. Some of them subsequently came into contact with the law again, like Willem Holleeder, and he too grew into a criminal.
The impact
The Heineken kidnapping had a major impact in Dutch crime history. This was an organised crime the Netherlands had not seen before and it led to much discussion about the security of famous people.
Freddy Heineken lived very secluded after the kidnapping until his death in 2002 and spoke little about the incident. He remained important in the brewery and in the business world.
The Heineken kidnapping remains a subject that people continue to find interesting and numerous books, films and documentaries have been made about it. The 2011 film ‘The Heineken Kidnapping’ shows the events (though a bit more dramatic than in real life) and shows the side of both the kidnappers and the perpetrators.
Curious about the history of the Heineken beer brand? Then read this blog about its history. Of course, it is also very important that you are well prepared for your trip to Amsterdam, and practical tips are important. Read this blog about tips for going to Amsterdam! If you want to learn more about Amsterdam, do SmartWalk Amsterdam. In this self-guided tour you will learn the hidden gems, the best restaurants and much more! Walk the route at your own pace and enjoy the most beautiful spots in Amsterdam!
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