nuOct 14, 2026, 08:34

Relatives of model Ivana Smit will not receive high damages after all

The family of the late model Ivana Smit has lost a court appeal regarding 224,000 euros in compensation after the Malaysian authorities successfully challenged a previous ruling that found police negligence in the investigation of her 2017 death. Smit's legal team is now considering seeking permission from the highest court in Malaysia to challenge this latest decision.

The family of 18-year-old Dutch model Ivana Smit, who was found dead in Malaysia in 2017, will not receive a previously awarded compensation of 224,000 euros. Although a judge had previously ruled that the Malaysian police acted negligently in their investigation, an appeals court has now overturned this decision, reversing the order for damages. Smit's family has long questioned the official narrative that her death from a balcony fall was an accident, citing findings from a Dutch pathologist suggesting she may have been deceased before the fall.

Lawyer Sébas Diekstra expressed deep frustration over the ruling, describing the ongoing legal battle as harrowing for the grieving family. While the court's decision is a significant setback, the family's legal team is currently consulting with attorneys in Malaysia to determine if they can seek permission from the country's highest court to appeal the verdict further. Diekstra emphasized that they are carefully reviewing the judgment to decide on their next course of action in the pursuit of accountability.

Culture Netherlands World

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Princess Amalia promoted to sergeant 9 months after appointment as corporal

Princess Amalia has been promoted to the rank of sergeant by the Royal Netherlands Navy after serving nine months as a corporal. The promotion took place on the Norwegian vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl in Den Helder as part of her ongoing military internship.

The Greenhouse | I prefer to jump on the facts rather than the barricade

A climate journalist explores the tension between objective reporting and the pressure to advocate for systemic change to combat the climate crisis. The author concludes that journalists should remain factual rather than activist to effectively reach a wide and diverse audience.

Exhibition reveals how the former owners of Huis Willet-Holthuysen were deeply involved in the slave trade

An exhibition at Museum Huis Willet-Holthuysen in Amsterdam explores how the residence's 18th-century owners profited from the colonial slave trade. The display details how the city's canal district served as a major center for the plantation economy.

Russian DJ dropped from ADE after hate message to Ukrainian

Russian DJ Komarov has been dropped from the Amsterdam Dance Event after a past hateful message directed at a Ukrainian colleague surfaced. While his removal has been confirmed, critics continue to call for further screening of other Russian artists who may have ties to the Kremlin or disputed territories.

Willet-Holthuysen museum exhibition exposes financing of Surinamese plantations

A new exhibition at Huis Willet-Holthuysen in Amsterdam explores the historical connections between the canal house and the financing of colonial plantations in Suriname. The project reveals how former residents profited from the slave trade and highlights recently discovered records containing the names of 125 enslaved people.