The Public Prosecutor’s Office has revealed that ten of its prosecutors were threatened with either death or serious violence last year. In seven of the ten cases, murder or assault was threatened. The three other prosecutors received threats in court. The figures were made known following a request by the broadcaster NOS.

The total number of justice officials threatened in 2009 was almost 40. They included secretaries who received threatening telephone calls and employees who received letters containing an unknown powder. In 2006, the number of employees threatened was 24. The nature of those threats and who precisely was threatened is not known; the Public Prosecutor’s Office did not itemise the figures.

This is the first time the number, and seriousness, of threats to prosecutors has been made public. Most of those threatened have been involved in cases against serious criminals. Officials will not say what security measures have been taken.

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