Albert Drent, the former owner of Het Hofnarretje child daycare centre in Amsterdam, has hired prominent defence attorney Geert-Jan Knoops.

Het Hofnarretje is the crèche where Robert Mikelsons sexually abused dozens of young children. Mikelsons has been tried for the abuse of 67 children but has in fact confessed to abusing more. Parents of some of the victims decided not to file charges.

The families of some of the victims wanted Mr Drent to be prosecuted as well. They claim he was either aware of the abuse or should have been. Back in November 2011 prosecutors decided not to bring charges against Mr Drent, although they said he appeared to have had insufficient operational control over the business at the time when the abuse was taking place.

Mr Drent has retained Attorney Knoop's services with the aim of not having to face prosecution in the future.

(dcf/nc)

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