The hell of 373 days.
Henk tepper, 44 years old and imprisoned without any charges against him in the
Lebanese prison.
My name is Henk Tepper and I’m from a family of four boys. Hendrik Tepper 75 years
old. Bé Tepper 70 years old and Wim Tepper 66 years old. Wim emigrated to Canada
in 1979 and Bé followed in 1980. We we’re born and raised in Groningen in a little
place called Kolham. Our parents owned a farm on the “hoofdweg”. The whole
family exists out of farmers, except for the undersigned. I am an entrepreneur in
supermarkets.
How I experienced (Henk Tepper) this groundless imprisonment:
It was the 30th of March 2011; in the morning I was working on my computer to
update my weblog. There were some problems with weblog.nl, therefore I went
searching for other possibilities. I often google my name too see what is written
about me, where I sometimes find stories about the sun of my brother bé, because
we both wear the same name, the stories always were about the consumption of
seed potatoes. I find this very interesting as the sun of a farmer.
This time however I came across a frightening report in the Canadian paper.
telegraphjournal.com - Breaking News, New Brunswick, Canada.url
This was a bitter pill, because my nephew Henk was apprehended and imprisoned in
the Lebanese prison. In a huff I called my brother Bé, to gather some information. But
also he didn’t know the reason for the imprisonment. According to the paper it had
something to do with a delivery of seed potatoes too Algeria.
Nephew Henk cultivates and trades in the consumption of potatoes, He owns
approximately 1200 hectares and everything he’s short is bought elsewhere. (After
some more research we found out that in the end of 2007 a shipment of 3800 ton of
consumption potatoes was delivered too Algeria.
When someone exports potatoes, the potatoes have to go through an inspection to see
if the shipment contains diseases. In Canada this is done by the CFIA (Canadian Food
Inspection Agency) the Canadian government is responsible for this inspection. The
CFIA approved the shipment too Algeria and foresee it of the right label and
documentation. However while the shipment was on his way, the CFIA informed
Algeria that the shipment of 3800 ton contained 300 ton of ring disease.
Once the shipment arrived in Algeria, the word had spread about the ring disease.
Therefore the importer of the goods denied the shipment, and the shipment stayed
in the ship located in the Algerian dock.
(The Algerian importer bought the shipment of consumption potatoes to sell it as
seed potatoes to another country, therefore a ship containing rot disease cannot be
allowed. The ring disease is not harmful according too European standards, however
when the shipment is sold to another country, it will be seen as a threat.)
After two months of discussions, the potatoes were sold too Syria, by my nephew
Henk for a knock down price. The damage made by the denied shipment was
millions. A lawsuit against the CFIA was started, because they were responsible for
the inspection of the shipment.
Around the year 2009 many lawsuits had been passed and according to my nephew
Henk his lawyers the end was near, and it all looked very positive for him.
I think that connections between the Canadian CFIA and the Algerian government
(Algerian importer) persisted, about the lawsuit between the CFIA and my nephew
Henk. At this same time Algeria had put nephew Henk on the Interpol list (Red alert).
Contact was made with the Canadian RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), which
showed because nephew Henk was invited for a meeting without giving any reason;
but his lawyer was busy that day. Nephew Henk told them he wanted to talk when
his lawyer Rod Gillis was present. The RCMP said they would reschedule, but they
never did.
Both the RCMP and the CFIA knew of the Algerian Red Alert Interpol, however
nephew Henk still didn’t know nothing about it.
Nephew Henk, got an invitation of the Canadian government to make a trip to
Lebanon, together with a staff member of the Canadian government and someone
of the agriculture corporation. The Canadian government told him that they would
pay everything, and nephew Henk accepted the trip.
Once nephew Henk arrived at the Airport of Beirut in Lebanon, he was asked too
follow them into a separate room, here the police and armed soldiers were present.
Nephew henk was asked if he had been in Algeria before, and he answered that he
was in Algeria before, but not at the time of the shipment in 2007. The gentlemen
told him that he must have been present at the time of the shipment, because he
was on the Interpol (red alert) list of Algeria, for falsification of documents.
Still in the same room the gentlemen told Henk that he would be transported too
another building, while he was hand cupped. He was thrown into a truck with some
sort of cover. The truck was driving so hard, that while laying on the floor inside the
truck his body role from side to side, the transport therefore was harsh. After the
ride Henk had visible bruises al over his body.
And that’s how “THE HELL OF 373 DAYS” started, imprisoned without any charges
against him.
Palais de Justice Beirut.
(Prisoners, who have not had a lawsuit yet, are put in the basement of the ministry
of justice, so there is a coming and going of prisoners. Except for nephew Henk,
because 373 days is not just a small time. The chambers in the basement of the
ministry of justice have no windows and therefore no daylight.
Furthermore there are lots of spiders as big as your fist, cockroaches and
musquitoes. The basement is 280mtr2 and together with Henk there were around 20
to 32 other prisoners. I will let the toilet and shower speak to your imagination. Jim
Mockler (Henk his lawyer) has visited the basement a view times, and told me he
wouldn’t even want to let his dog stay there.
Henk stayed in a country without any jurisdiction, kept by the Lebanese government,
because he was on the Interpol list, listed by Algeria. Moreover Lebanon doesn’t
even have an extradition contract with Algeria.
The 300ton of potatoes containing ring disease, weren’t from nephew Henk his own
fields, but were bought in Quebec. According to the Algerian government Henk had
been charged of falsification of documents, however Henk his lawyers denied all
charges against him. The potatoes were inspected by the CFIA, and approved
according to the Algerian standards.
The family had no idea what to do, and were faced with their back against the wall.
Without any charges against nephew Henk you might think he would be free soon,
so many laws were checked to find a solution. Sixty days and then it would all be
over. But after 90 days, 110 days, 130 days.. He was still in jail.
Nephew henk was told by the Algerian judge, that if the Canadian government
would send a letter, he would be back on the street within 4 hours.
On Facebook and other kinds of social media there was a lot of attention for Henk’s
case. On facebook a page named: “freehenktepper” was launched, by friends in New
Brunswick, furthermore in the Netherlands the media discovered this special case.
Dagblad van het Noorden. Trouw. Algemeen dagblad. Telegraaf. Landbouwkrant.
Veldpost, wereld omrooep. All kinds of newspapers gave a lot of attention.
Personally I’ve made a weblog about this case, named: Freehenktepper.nl, this also
was the cause, that the Dutch media discovered what happened to my nephew.
The family decided there had to be someone to keep connected with the media and
the lawyers. Harmien Dione Tepper, Henk’s sister, had been “our captain” all along
the 373 days and she did all the informing to the media, I personally offered myself
to be her “sailor” to do what was expected of me by Harmien.
Brother Bé, tried as much as he could to replace Henk, concerned work that had to
be done at the farm. This was a pitty, because Bé is 70 years old and has been out of
the routine for a few years now. Brother Jan from Manitoba was around to help Bé,
but Jan owned a farm himself too, so helping too long wasn’t an option.
After a couple of months, Harmien traveled to Beirut with the Canadian lawyer Jim
Wockler to visit Henk. Through the Lebanese lawyer Henk had informed Harmien
that it wasn’t going well with him, and he asked to visit him.
The minister of foreign affaires repeatedly said that he would do anything within his
power to help Henk. Quiet diplomacy he called it.
Back from their visit, Harmien told the Canadian Embassy had visited henk “seven”
times, but there was nothing they could do for him. Henk asked for a Canadian
doctor, but the ambassador told him this wasn’t possible. Henk didn’t want to go to
a hospital in Beirut, because than he would be chained to his bed and this would
only make his mental condition worse.
Henk his lawyers and the family kept begging the Canadian government to send a
letter to Lebanon, because the Lebanese judge kept asking for it. Friends of Henk in
New Brunswick and others, even many unknown people had written the prime
minister of Canada to send “the letter”. Via the Internet a petition was made, to
convince the Canadian government of the necessity, the petition was signed by
thousands of people all over the world. Unfortunately this didn’t help. Moreover a
meeting was organized, where Harmien, the lawyer and a Liberal senator (pierette)
gave account.
The village demonstrated on the streets to free Henk:
Letter Queen Elizabeth II
Geplaatst op 16 november 2011
Neef Henk met zijn beide dochters.
This is the open letter for the Queen.
Dit is de brief van Kimberly en Stephanie Tepper aan de Koningin van Engeland (Vertaling naar het
Nederlands: zie reactie Henk 30 juni of scroll helemaal naar onderen))
Open letter
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
BUCKINGHAM PALACEII
AND
GOVERNOR GENERAL DAVID JOHNSTON
RIDEAU HALL
Dear Majesty and Governor
We hope you are doing well and ready to celebrate Canada Day!
We are writing this letter to you because all our letters to the Prime Minister did not get his attention and we
hope you can help us.
We are the daughters of Hendrick Tepper, Stephanie and Kimberly. We live on our family farm in the small
town of Drummond, New Brunswick and we were once a happy family.
Last Saturday I, Stephanie Tepper, graduated from high school without my Dad there. During the Church
Mass a parent spoke to the graduating class and said that we all have to think about Henk Tepper and keep
him in our prayers. This made me very sad; this should have been the happiest time in my life. When I
arrived at the school I looked in the crowd, but I could not find my Dad. During the Graduation I heard many
fathers calling out their children’s names. I was listening to hear my father but there was nothing. The whole
day my thoughts were with my father who I have not seen for over 90 days.
And I, Kimberly Tepper, was nominated for the Prix Thomas which is an event held at our High School. It is
an award ceremony for achievements in either academics, sports, or cultural. This event happens once a
year. MY Dad would have been so proud of me however I could not see that in his eyes because he is in a
jail in Beirut and the Government does nothing to bring him back home. He did nothing wrong.
Every day we ask ourselves: is our Dad OK, has our Dad changed, does our Dad eat well, is our Dad safe.
We have so many questions but the biggest question still remains why is Canada not helping to bring our
Dad home? All that Canada is telling us is that our Dad is safe. Every night before going to bed we pray and
ask for a miracle. We look at a picture of our Dad and we cry ourselves asleep. Life without our Dad is
lonely and sad. People come and talk to us about our Dad and that makes us cry because we miss him so
much.
Our Dad came to Canada with his grand-father and grand-mother when he was 7 year old 35 years ago. He
worked hard for us and the farmers around here because it is not easy to be a farmer.
We looked at the Royal Wedding on TV and it was so beautiful, like a fairy tale. You must have been happy
for your grand children. Our grandparents are so sad. They are so worried about what will happen to our
father. Aunt Harmiena has been to Beirut to see our father and we miss him so much.
We write this open letter because we think you have more power than Mr. Harper and that you could help
get our Dad back to Canada.
Stephanie and Kimberly Tepper
Drummond,
New Brunswick
I hope, Queen Elizabeth the second will help Henk Tepper out of jail Libanon on Canada Day ( 1 july)(
Happy Canada Day 1 july 1867 The Dominion of Canada) 144 candle for everyone and Henk Tepper
then?……..I can hope also for my cousin and our family……………..Canada please!!!!
The letter can also be red on my weblog “freehenktepper.nl”
http:/freehenktepper.nl/
Then the day arrived that the family in Canada was so desperate about the whole
situation that everyone was willing to help, but how can you help? Personally I think
that the media is very important, because politicians are very sensitive for the
media. After some coordination with my captain I decided that my full focus would
be on, informing the media.
After an interview with Dagblad van het Noorden (newspaper), It all went very
prosperous. It only took a few days and another newspaper called Algemeen
Dagblad made contact with me to get information about my nephew Henk. The
“wereldomroep” made an appointment with me at home, and I decided to quit as a
councilor.
I was councilor for the VVD, in the community Menterwolde. But short after I got
knowledge of my Nephews case, I stopped being a councilor and used this time to
help Henk.
My wife and I had reserved a vacation and we left with the hope that during our stay
there Henk would get free. +-Two months passed and it couldn’t take long before
Henk would be free, according to the Dutch law. I bought a smaller quicker laptop;
too take with me on my vacation, to stay well informed.
Friday morning 22 april 2011, during breakfast, the telephone rang at 8 o clock. We
both shook, this could be the Canadian family to let us know that Henk is free, but
fortune decided otherwise. It was my sister-in-law, with terrible news, her husband
died totally unexpected. Our mood already wasn’t great, but now we only wanted to
go home, as quick as possible. Our daughter José did everything within her power, in
form of helpfulness. Those days were hard on us. “Nephew Henk dishonest in jail. A
distraught Canadian family, the unexpected death of our brother-in-law, and my
sister-in-law left all alone”. Still life goes on, children are playing on the streets,
busses pass by and birds are singing all day, just like nothing just happened.
It isn’t really important, but many people asked me, that’s why I mention it. We
visited Canada in 1996 and we met the whole family there. After Harmien, Henk and
Jan came to the Netherlands to visit us. Brother Bé and Wim together with their
wives have visited us almost every year. Furthermore I’m often calling with my
family. But I hardly talk with my cousins and nephews.
Life is hectic with a 70-year-old brother, who can’t say an emotional thing when I
interact with him on the phone, and the other way around it’s just the same.
Therefore we both decided to only interact by mail, this way we don’t upset each
other.
By mail I weekly contacted our captain Harmien, Henk’s sister. Captain is regularly
trying to reach Henk by phone; this is done through the judge. Which doesn’t always
works. Via the Lebanese lawyer she also contacts with Henk and this works pretty
well. Out of the mails the captains send me, I took notice that both Henk and the
family are in a worse scenario. Captain Harmien informed me that by using her mail
contacts I am able to send letters to Henk, and that Henk is desperate for it, to get
through the days.
(My first letter to nephew Henk, on August the 8th 2011).
Dear Henk, My dear cousin asked me to send you a letter, but I just don’t know how
to start the letter, under the circumstances we are in now. I have a lot of respect for
you; there is nothing in live that can get you down. I am following the media in both
Canada and Lebanon, to keep up with all the new information that is getting in. I’m
trying to use all useful information to help you, with the approval of Captain
MIENTJE. Moreover since the 23th of March I’m using my councilor weblog for your
save return.
At this moment the “wereld omroep” is paying a lot of attention to our case and is
trying as hard as possible to share our case with the world. We don’t really know if it
helps, but we will keep fighting to the bitter end, and we know you will keep fighting
too.
Lebanon is a very progressive country and is reforming itself for years now; on basis
of the reforms you would have been free already, according to my Lebanese friend
here in Holland. I’ve been gathering a lot of information about Lebanon on the
Internet lately, and it’s confusing why you aren’t released yet. I have all the
confidence of the world that the Lebanese government and the Justice minister will
justify their laws.
I’ve been imprisoned for thirteen days while I was innocent too. This makes it even
better for me to understand the situation you are in. I did gym exercises every hour
to keep my mind free of weird thoughts. I often thought of positive events in my
life, the pretty things from our past. It is very weird, but I tried to think least as
possible about my wife and children, because than the sadness would overrule.
Now back to today: Uncle Eric and uncle Wim told me, that they had talked with Ella
and she was doing fine despite the circumstances, she is fighting through it very well.
I’m watching your children on facebook, and they are posting about their daily lives,
and that’s the way it should be. I have contacts with your parents and Harmien by
mail, because contact by the phone becomes very emotional sometimes. Uncle wim
is talking a lot with your parents, this way he can ease his burden.
It is unbelievable how many people are asking questions about you, how are you
doing? When will he be released? Sometimes I’ve the feeling that everyone in the
Netherlands knows about you, however the only fact that matters is that minister
Harper gives a call and makes sure that you will get off the Interpol list.
This case is in one word: “unfair”, it is just too harsh that your name can be put on
the Interpol list for a never proven case. The Public prosecutor (minister of justice) of
Lebanon should share this thought with us, but he wants certainty from Interpol
before he’s making a decision. Hopefully the gods are on our side, and they will bless
your release. Keep your head up; because everything is going to be all right, that’s
what we know for sure.
Regards
Henk and Rika
After I sent this letter more than 150 others followed. Every time we shared the
same hope, than we had to deal with the disappointment. There were made a lot of
promises, but nephew Henk needed real action. Therefore I personally sent a letter
to minister Rosenthal and received the attached letter as an answer:
Dear Henk Tepper,
In your mail you are asking minister Rosenthal to pay attention to your nephew, who
has been imprisoned since the 23th of March 2011. Your nephew has immigrated 32
years ago to Canada. The reason of the imprisonment is that your nephew was
involved in a shipment of potatoes with falsified documents. The shipment was
delivered to Algeria but carried the ring rot disease, which is a harmful disease for
Algeria. However your nephew wasn’t informed about the falsified documents.
In Canada there is running a case at the moment about the delivered potatoes.
Algeria denied to pay the delivered shipment and added your nephew to “the red
alert-interpol”. This was the reason your nephew was imprisoned.
It is a very regrettable case that your nephew has been put into this inconvenient
situation. Your nephew carries the Canadian identity and therefore the Canadian
authorities can only help him. The ambassador of the Netherlands in Beirut contacted
with his Canadian colleague about the situation your nephew is in right now. The
Canadian ambassador said he would give all the needed consular support for your
nephew.
I’m wishing all the best in this difficult situation to your nephew and his beloved.
I think that with this information you are well informed.
Regards,
The minister of foreign affaires,
The head of cluster objections and consular cases.
I’ve sent many letter to our ministry, often via contacts I had in political parties. I’ve
contacted the CDA but they didn’t even respond, fortunately the VVD did respond
and helped me.
I’ve also posted a letter to “human rights”, but unfortunately they answered that
they had no rights to interrupt this case, because it was a law bound affair.
The letter:
My name is Henk Tepper, and my family emigrated to Canada thirty-two years ago.
This letter is about my Nephew Henk, who has been imprisoned since the 23th of
March in the “Palais de Justice” in Beirut in the country Lebanon. My nephew has
been kept there under miserable circumstances. He intended to go to Lebanon and
inspect his delivered shipment of potatoes, but once he arrived the police was
waiting for him.
The reason for his imprisonment was a shipment delivered in 2007, according to the
Algerian government this shipment contained falsified documents. The shipment
contained 3800 ton of potatoes and the documents said there were only 3500 ton of
potatoes inside the ship, 300 ton was left and these potatoes contained the ring
disease according to the Algerian government. However my nephew didn’t know
about the falsified documents or the ring rot disease. In Canada there is a lawsuit
going on about the delivered shipment, because Algeria refused to pay.
The Algerian government added my nephew to “the Red alert-interpol”. Every single
member of the family is willing to do anything to prove that my nephew is innocent,
and we would like to see that anything would be done to make sure that his name is
erased from the red alert Interpol list.
The judge in Lebanon has declared that my nephew has to be deleted from “the red
alert-interpol”, because otherwise he has to be delivered to Algeria. Furthermore the
judge declared that if my nephew is off the list, he will be free in less than 4 hours.
My family is begging you to ask Interpol Lyons, France to take my Nephew Henk of
the Red Alert case.
For more information please find my weblog attached below:
: http://henktepper.web-log.nl/mijn_weblog/#tp
Futhermore Henk his lawyer is giving more explanation in the paper in Canada:
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/1404634
My sincere apologies to bother you with our problems, but I didn’t see another
possibility.
Kind regards,
Henk tepper
Kerkstraat 42c
9636 AC Zuidbroek
So many times I have searched through all the laws and than you find the text, which
can get your nephew out, but I forgot one thing, He is imprisoned in Lebanon and
Lebanon has other laws than Holland. However here is the ………….text:
Temporary custody
When the prosecutor thinks a suspect has to be kept longer, he needs to ask the
examining judge to give his approval for this. If the request is approved, then the
temporary custody starts.
The custody finds place in the detention center or on the police office; in that last
case its called preventive measure. De detention has a maximum of fourteen days
and can’t be prolonged by the examining judge. Temporary custody is only possible
when there are complains. Furthermore the offence that is probably committed by
the suspect needs to have a sentence of 4 years or more.
Imprisonment
After fourteen days the custody ends. If the prosecutor finds that the suspect should
stay longer in temporary custody, he needs official permission of the council
chamber of court. The suspect has the opportunity to give his own opinion. The
following order for imprisonment counts for a period of 30 to 90 days. In case the
council chamber of court gives an order for a period of 30 to 60 days, this can be
prolonged every time the case is judged, until the suspect has been imprisoned for a
total of 90 days. Within this period the case of the suspect has to be judged by the
judge. This does not have to be a substantive judgment: most of the times there is a
temporary judgment to automatically extend the imprisonment with a maximum of
90 days. As long as the case is running, the suspect can be imprisoned. However the
real length of imprisonment is limited to a time of processing linked to the case.
End
The temporary custody and the imprisonment can both be interrupted, if this
happens the suspect will be released. A suspension of the temporary custody is also
possible, but this can be reversed, if the suspect does not keep him/herself to the
restrictions associated with the suspension.
Than you call the Canadian family to tell them the breakthrough you’ve found in the
Dutch law. But again a big disappointment followed. Dispirited, incomprehension
and anger.
It is mid September 2011 and still no signal of Henk his release.
Fear, anger and sadness we feel. One thing is clear right now, his faith is in the hands
of thirds, and there is nothing we can do about it. The only thing left for us to do is
wait, when there will be a positive impact on the case. But how long can a human
being possibly stand this without being totally exhausted mental and physically.
Sometimes you receive a mail from Henk and than there is a feeling of happiness,
however when you read the mail, the happiness tears apart. A few words nephew
Henk told me: The only thing I have is a matrass and a card game, that’s all, it’s really
everything I have. We play cards almost every day and that’s how we spend the day.
Captain Harmien told me that Henk really enjoys our letters and e-mails therefore I
am writing him an email on weekly basis. Often I ask myself what to write to Henk.
Sometimes I’m just talking about the whether, but why would he care about the
whether? He only wants to hear one thing, and that’s the date he will be released,
and the things we are doing to get him out.
I noticed that my brother has hard times too, the only thing he says is: “nothing
matters anymore, as long as Henk will be released.
There is a positive message: Lebanon has no extradition treaty with Algeria. And
therefore Henk won’t be delivered to Algeria.
Our thoughts were, good release him, but that’s not the case. Lebanon just tells us
that they want to receive a letter from the Canadian government.
My friend mailed me a photo with the Canadian flag halfway. To increase the
attention to the case, often he hangs out the flag as indicated in the picture. I’ve
added his picture next to it and added it to the social media.
Coming back to the card game. If the only thing you can do is play card games, what
can you possibly do with it to make it through the day? I know that henk reads all his
letter several times.
Three times a week I go to the gym, and I heard a song of Gerad de Vries, “the card
game, I instantly thought of Henk. “I only have a card game” This is the reason I
wrote this letter:
Dear henk
There are many things you can do with cards, we use to make houses of it, two cards
against each other and than we can make the biggest house. In the internet I saw a
story of Gerard de vries with music, but the music you have to imagine yourself.
It was in the 2nd world war. A group of soldiers came back from a patrol and arrived
in a little village. De next day, Sunday, a few of them went to the church under the
command of a sergeant. After the priest had done his prayer he started to preach.
The boys who had a church book used it. But one of them only had a card game with
him, which he spread in front of him. The sergeant noticed the card game and told
him to put the cards away. After the preach the soldier was punished and brought to
the officer of the military police. Why did you brought him here Sergeant? Asked the
officer. He was playing cards in church answered the Sergeant. What is your answer
to that, buddy; said the lieutenant. “A lot” answered the soldier. “I hope so, because
if you don’t have a good reason I will punish you harder than I’ve ever punished
someone” said the lieutenant. The soldier answered: Lieutenant I’ve been on patrol
for six days now. I had no bible, no church book. But I hope I can convince you from
the integrity of my actions. After this he started his story.
Look lieutenant, when I look at the ace of the card game, I know there is only one
god. And the two tells me the bible is split in two, the old and the New Testament.
When I see the three, than I think of the father, the sun and the Holy Spirit. The four
reminds me of the four evangelists who preached the word, Mattheus, Marcus, Lucas
and Johannes. The five reminds me of the five wise virgins who kept their lamp
burning and were spared. Six, these are they days in which God created heaven and
earth. Seven reminds me of the seventh day, the day of rest. The eight reminds me of
the eight persons who were saved when they earth was destroyed. Noach together
with his wife. His suns and their wives. The nine reminds me of the lepers who
purified our savior from his sins. However nine of the ten didn’t thank him.
Ten makes me think of the then offers, which Mozes received, on the table of stone.
I see the King, and I know that there is only one powerful king.
The woman reminds me of mother Maria, and queen of heaven. The farmer of the
card game is the devil. All the cards summed up makes the number 365, the days of
the year. There are 52 cards, standing for the weeks in a year. Four colours, telling us
that there are four weeks in a month. Twelve cards with pictures telling us a year
exist of 12 months. Furthermore there are thirteen trumps in the game, thirteen
weeks in a quarter. You see Lieutenant? My card game means more to me than the
bible itself.
Dear people, this was a true story, because that soldier was me!
Now A story that I’ve send to the media in the month august 2011:
Liberal Senator for New Brunswinck Pierette Ringuette, has fought for the release of
my nephew Henk and asked many questions to the Canadian government. Ringuette
said: If it was a Canadian Banker and he was imprisoned in Beirout without any
charges, he would be out in less than 48 ours under pressure of the Canadian
government.
In 2008, the Canadian Brenda Martin was convicted for trading in cocaine for 10
years of Mexican prison. Miss Martin received several visits from Old Premier Paul
Martin en was picked up by a plain owned by the government of Canada, Stayed in a
prison in Canada for nine more days, followed by her release. (I’m telling you, The
Canadian government can’t do anything?)
In June The Justice minister of Lebanon wanted the information of Interpol and he
has the information and his decision would follow on the 18th of August, about Henk
his release. Today it is the 20th of August and next Monday it’s a rest day in Lebanon,
so again we’ll have to wait till next Tuesday. Tomorrow it’s the 30th of August and
still there has been no answer of the minister of justice.
The media, sometimes you have to offer a lot for it, but it’s for the good and then
you really need the media. I wrote Henk a letter about the media, and I hope it does
him well.
I came across this photo in the media, it is
his brother Bé and his sun Henk.
Sun Henk: with potatoes.
Letter 21:
Dear henk
I will repeat myself, why I’m numbering the letters. Because I talk a lot about our
past, I can read though my letters again before I actually start with a new one.
I’m hearing you think Henk, My uncle is already becoming demented and to avoid
this he is numbering the letters.
My boss and secretary always tell me what I can do and what I can’t do. The media in
the Netherlands are asking me all the time, if you will be released and when.
Attention of the media can’t hurt ofcourse. First D.v.h.n. and then the radio and “rtv
noord”. I couldn’t believe it but within 2 days the text was published in the:
Telegraaf, AD, Volkskrant, Parool and radio 1. Even the NOS called me for
information, but they haven’t done anything with it yet. However I did watch the
text and the movie when I watched a crime journalist. This same journalist emailed
me, and said that he thought it was ridiculous that they had arrested you, and
wanted to pay extra attention to it.
Yesterday the 25th of August, I’ve had an interview for third time with the “wereld
omroep”, they are doing a lot for you. The other interview were by phone and they
copied a lot of information from my weblog. That’s when the world started to be
informed about whats going on, I noticed this because the number of visitors of my
weblog kept rising. People from the Canadian government and even from New
Bruswick visited my weblog. Even Amnestie visited it once.
The ladies carried a lot of machines with them, which is no important information.
However after a small introduction, they started filming and asking questions, which
all went very well. Because I’ve had prepared myself very well that morning. They
came around a quarter before one, and left around a half past four. All this time was
needed for a movie of five minutes and a written text. Sometimes I start cycling to
clear my head of everything and think clearly about what to do. And yes she wanted
to film me while I was cycling. Furthermore she wanted to film at the land of a
farmer. So all together we went to the land of Tonny Bos and again I had to cycle on
a very old bicycle to the farmer, where we together with the cows started talking. On
our way back we filmed a part in the middle of a field of potatoes and wheat or
something. She told me she was going to assemble the movie at the same day to
share it with the world as quickly as possible, I hope it will speed up the process of
getting you home, because one thing is certain, you will get home.
I receive a lot of mails of Canadian and Dutch pesons wishing you all the luck of the
world. They are too many to mention all. But I will mention one, because this one is
unstoppable; Crystal Staples Bradsaw, Pauline Dube and someone from Cuba
Dianabel Garcia Aleman etc etc.
I just reveived a mail from the office of the “wereld omroep”, that they’ve shortened
the tape.
The mail:
Eventually I had to shorten the tape, because next week it will be used in the
American tv program called: “in from Holland” and also the Dutch weekly summary,
which will start next week. Unfortunately no parts of Groningen are shown in the
movie, but and this is very good news, it will be in English and maybe in Arabic.
A lot of love, and Kop d’r veur het komt goud (A dutch dialect).
Letters/mails: often we wanted to make something clear to Henk, which just wasn’t
ment to be for everyone. Captain told this in the language they spook in their
childhood, and I did it in “Gronings” the dialect of the place we grew up.
Sometimes I think, will Henk understand what I am saying? Will he understand our
secret language?
Dear rogue, Today it is the 15th of September and its 10 o clock in the morning, so I
am starting to write again. To be honest I do know what to wirte, but I don’t know in
what words. Then I have my captain, she is pretty strict. However I decided to make it
clear for you, just one more time. Our dialect is pretty hard to write, and a lot of
times I am puzzling with it myself. That’s no problem, because knowing everything
doesn’t make you happy. (All written in dialect)
Today it’s about a story of our past, just for you, that is why I wrote it in our dialect.
Two rogues, the one was called Ruit and the other toad. And their surname was fairy.
Family fairy was a happy family, with three children and a few pony’s and a dog. Ruit
the oldest of the family and toad the middle on. Toad and Ruit were best friends and
they did everything together, however father fairy was a man with strict rules.
Toad often went into the field and couldn’t stop jumping over the ditch, so he often
had wet feet, furthermore he was always picking in the neighbor, when he planted
something toad was there to pull it out of the ground. All kind of things that little
rogues do. Guit always was the one who kept his head up when there was trouble.
On one day Toad was flirting with his way to young girly neighbor and the curate
punished him for it. Father fairy and Guit had now idea what to do. Toad wanted to
break up with her one day, but maybe she was pregnant. Guit and father fairy came
to the conclusion that they had to help toad, but first they had to know whether the
neighbor was pregnant or not. They hired a quack doctor to help them out, but the
test would take days or weeks before there would be any result. Toad felt that Guit
and father fairy were up to something, but he didn’t know exactly what. The Quack
doctor took other quack doctors with him, because the more people the easier it gets.
They had to get over the water in Kropswolde, so that they could get into Paterwolde
Via Glimmen. During the examination they heard the noise of low flying airplanes.
The doctor did his test and gave the needed results on paper. The neighbor wasn’t
pregnant and toad was together with Guit again. Guit told Toad, that the next time
he had to leave before the gospel.
Dear henk, I remember that before all of you went to Canada we visited you. If my
memories are correct, there were a view ponies in the field at that moment and José
was pretty scared of the ponies, later in life she did horse riding tho.
My paper is almost full, so keep your head up, it will all be all right.
Henk received a lot of letters and emails from his Canadian family. His parents his
kids and his wife contacted him every day by letter or by email. Furthermore he
contacted on daily basis with his sister, our captain.
If he really got all the letters that we send him? I have my doubt about it. His lawyer
in Lebanon had to read every single letter to check whether there was nothing in it
that could give Henk trouble with justice. But anyway the lawyer is human to, with a
normal working week and his own life next to it. He visited Henk on Tuesday and
Thursday. If the lawyer came and visit, Henk would write some words on paper to
give it retour with the lawyer.
“if you are imprisoned, without any charges against you and the falsified papers are
totally made up by the Algerian importer, than you take every help you can get. Even
more if you notice that the Canadian government has turned its back on you.”
Because of my weblog “freehenktepper.nl” and through my posting on Facebook, I
was contacted a few timesby Lebanese persons, who told my that they might be able
to help me. Then when we are discussing this in the family, we are wondering what
there actually is that they can do for us. For example Mr. X living in Lebanon told me
that he was in jail for two days and that it wasn’t going right with nephew Henk,
furthermore he told that he was able to speed up the releasing process. Out of the
blue, suddenly there is help? While you keep speaking with Mr. X, you are doing
some research to see whether there really are opportunities to get Henk out. It took
a few days and Mr. X told, that he had to know it urgently, because otherwise the
opportunity was gone. So I kept searching and searching to find out who Mr. X really
was, because I didn’t trust him at all. We had to be very carefull! He visited my
weblog on daily basis and I came to an early conclusion that he was the kind of
people that got rich by other persons their misery.
All of a sudden the second person started to contact me, and told me that he was
able to help my son. Apparently because of my surname he thought that I was Henk
his father. After some other research we found out that this Mr. IJ wasn’t living in
Beirut but in the Arabic Emirates. He lived in luxury and didn’t work, I guess anyone
could fill in the rest.
There were many persons that offered help, but eventually we don’t fall for these
tricks.
At times I considered that maybe in countries like Algeria, people like Henk are
actually imprisoned with the intention to make money?
Sometimes you can’t see the difference between right and wrong, a certain thing is
that I’m in able to follow the criminal activities in countries like Algeria. That’s all I’ve
got to say.
One thing I have to get of my chest, that if something equal happens to you, watch
your back, because when you need them the most, they know how to find you. They
know the exact moment to strike, and you probably can’t imagine it will happen, but
it does.
I’ve sent a latter/mail to my Canadian family and at the same moment to Henk. I try
to cheer him up once in a while, if it works? I don’t know, that’s why I wrote the
following letter.
Letter 33.
Dear rogue.
In my mind you are still an adolescent little silly boy, because if you don’t want to
call names on me? I will make you. I’ve sent you a poem to cheer you up, and also
mailed it to your father, mother and sister (captain).
How shall I start my letter, since I’ve been busy, I’ve been working in the garden of
my sister-in-law, because my brother-in-law recently passed away. I have a really
nice sister-in-law but she is just as clean as my wife, and you probably understand
that everything has to be precise than. The house next to her is deserted at the
moment and they really neglected the garden. She is 70 years old, and I saw her
climbing over a 2-meter high fence? What am I doing wrong? Moreover she started
cutting the branches, and I follow her and I was cutting and cutting till I was crosseyed. If you would get home, and you were standing in front of my, I wouldn’t see
you.
I must say, that your family is making progress, let them do their thing, and all the
pieces will fall together. I’ve put my trust in it, and I think it will all be all right soon
enough. With “soon” I mean days or small weeks. In our dialect we would say: It has
never been so dark, but it becomes brighter with the day.
I have some letters ready to send to CNN and BBC and some for the Dutch program
NOS. Today someone of “ a today” wanted to come over and have an interview for
TV, but it was to late for the persons who did the recording, they were busy. They
would call again on Monday. The captain gave me permission to give an interview to
the TROS and the AVRO. The mail for CNN BBC and NOS has to be accepter by our
captain. I’m just waiting for the green light so I can send the mail. I have the feeling
she is waiting with an answer and that’s a good sign.
I’m almost certain that the end is nearby, and if we will get in another struggle, I
know how to play the media. My emails and letters are made so, that I can send
them to any kind of media in the world. Believe me, we will keep fighting for you till
the bitter end. With your daughters it is going pretty well. They are making jokes on
facebook. Your father has a lot of support from Wim, anyhow that’s how I feel it
when I’m calling with Wim. I can admit it. I am calling with everyone in the family
except for my lovely captain and your father. It brings up way to many emotions and
then we just cry on the phone, so we only contact by mail.
Peter has given no reaction and please keep in mind that they can set an undercover
prisoner. This Henkie is taking everything into account.
Dear Henk, My paper is almost full so keep your head up, everything will be alright.
Oh now I forgot to call names at you. It was my intention to do so; anyway my paper
is full so I am done. Don’t piss to much next to the WC, because then you suck. Don’t
let the balls hang too much, because then you are a ballsweeper.
The public prosecutor in Lebanon has all the information gathered from Interpol in
Algeria. He attained this information on the 18th of August 2011. The promise made,
was that the prosecutor would make a decision. On the 26th of October 2011 no
decision has been made and it never came. According to information of Interpol,
while henk was locked up for 218 days in the Lebanese prison.
In may 2011 I’ve sent a letter to the president of Canada and in Juli I received an
answer of the minister of foreign affaires in Canada.
My letter to the president of Canada:
We have no idea what is left for us to do, that’s why I’ve sent you this letter, I
apologies already for it.
My name is Henk Tepper from the Netherlands. My family has emigrated to Canada
32 years ago. This letter is about my nephew Henk who carries the same name as I
do. He has been imprisoned since the 23th of March in “Palais de Justice” In Beirut
Lebanon, under miserable circumstances. He wanted to visit his delivered shipment
of potatoes, and when he arrived the Algerian government arrested him. There is
told that the reason of the arrestment was that the shipment of Henk would have
been shipped under falsified documents. Furthermore they found 300 ton of
potatoes in the shipment containing the ring disease, however a Canadian authority
has inspected the shipment.
My nephew Henk had no intention to do anything wrong, and he didn’t falsify the
documents. At the moment there is running a lawsuit in Canada against the Algerian
importer who refuses to pay the shipment.
Algeria added my nephew to “the Red-Alert Interpol”.
Both the family in Canada as well as the family in Holland would do anything to
convince the government of Canada, that Henk has been added to the Interpol list
without any reason, and to get him of the Interpol list we need the help of the
Canadian governments. The Lebanese judge told that Henk needs to be deleted from
the Interpol list, because otherwise he will be delivered to Algeria. However if his
name isn’t on the Interpol list anymore, the judge said that Henk will be free in less
than four hours. Our family is begging you to use you influence to ask Interpol Lyons,
France to delete the red alert of my nephew’s case.
Further information can be found on my weblog: “freehenktepper.nl”
Furthermore the lawyer of the family Tepper gives some explanation in the Canadian
paper. http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/1404634
Yours faithfully,
Henk Tepper
Answer of the minister of foreign affairs Canada
Dear Mr. Tepper:
The Office of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister,
forwarded to the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on
May 25, 2011, your email regarding your nephew Mr. Henk Tepper in
Lebanon. As consular affairs fall under my portfolio, I am responding to
your correspondence.
My thoughts go out to Mr. Tepper and his family during this difficult
time. I would like to assure you that Mr. Tepper's case is important for
the Government of Canada. Since learning of his detention, Canadian
consular officials have visited Mr. Tepper, communicated with his legal
counsel, and have raised concerns about his case with the local
authorities at many levels. Due to provisions in the Privacy Act, I am
not at liberty to discuss further details about Mr. Tepper's case. I
understand that Ms. Harmien Dionne, Mr. Tepper's sister in Canada, is
the principal contact on his case. I encourage you to communicate with
her for updates on Mr. Tepper's case.
Please be advised that when Canadians are detained abroad, consular
officials can request access to the individual, communicate with
families and representatives, seek to ensure equitable treatment under
local laws, and encourage authorities to process the case in a timely
and transparent manner-all of which Canadian officials have done and
will continue to do for your nephew. Canadian officials cannot, however,
get a Canadian out of prison or interfere in the independent judicial
processes of another country. For more information on the consular
services the Government of Canada can and cannot provide, please consult
the following website at http://www.travel.gc.ca.
Concerns about the Red Notice issued by INTERPOL at the request of
another INTERPOL member state should be addressed by Mr. Tepper or his
lawyers to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). In Canada, the
RCMP-an agency of Public Safety Canada-serves as the contact point for
all INTERPOL operations. I have therefore taken the liberty of
forwarding a copy of your correspondence to the Honourable Vic Toews,
Minister of Public Safety, for consideration.
I realize that this situation is unfortunate, and regret that my
response cannot be more positive. Please be assured that officials at
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada are providing and will
continue to provide Mr. Tepper and his family assistance within our
consular mandate.
Sincerely,
My investigation on the Internet, where I found this text:
Abduction in Lebanon, foreigners in Lebanon were in danger in 1982 until 1992.
Dozens of foreigners were abducted in this time. Sometimes they were abducted for
ransom, otherwise to pressure Israel and the Western. Not everyone came out of it
alive.
The British Terry Waite traveled to Lebanon in 1987 to free four abducted
compatriots. But he got kept as a hostage himself too. Four years later he was
released, in the same year the Islamite militants released the American journalist
Terry Anderson too. He had been kept for five years.
Priit Raistik from Amsterdam went cycling in Lebanon and Syrie with 6 friends. On
the 23th of March all seven were abducted. Now ten weeks later, it is unclear where
they are. All the friends of Raistik are worries that the world will forget about them.
They had been cycling for a week, they started in Beirut and went to the north into
Syria, and there they crossed the border from Masnaa back to Beirut. Near the city
Zahlé in Bekaa-valley it all went wrong. Out of a black Mercedes and two white cars
all whitout registration number armed men with masks came and abducted the
seven tourists. Their cycles and baggage was the only thing left of them. Priit Raistik,
Martin metspalu, Andre Pukk, Madis Paluoja, August Tillo an Kalev Käosaar have now
been missing for ten weeks.
Mirko Krabbé, an artist in Amsterdam has worked a lot with Priit Raistik the last
couple of years. Raistik was his assistant. ‘ Pritt is an extraordinary quiet but handy
man. In a very short period he learned to control the Dutch language. It is a pleasure
to work with someone so creative as he is, a great assistant. I think that Priit became
a real Amsterdam person in the five years he lived here.
Krabbeé is worried about his friend. After two months of uncertainty he decided to
create a website for Priit and his friends: www.free-priit.nl `The cyclers in Lebanon or
Syria.
“I hope there will be some support from the local authority of Amsterdam and that
many people will sign the petition. Only the feeling that he is still with us would help.
You can’t just take a person his life and blow him out of this world. Till the moment
that I know where he is, and that I’m certain he will come back. I will keep him alive
through petitions and my website.
Video messages: Twice there were found video messages of the four cyclers. The
first one in April and the second halfway May. All seven had grown a beard now. The
message was spread by Harakat al-Nahda wal-Islah, an unkown organization with the
goal of new reforms.
This organization probably didn’t kidnap the seven cyclers themselves but got them
in their hands through another way. In the territory were the cyclers were kidnapped
both Syria and the Hezbollah have the control.
No ransom was demanded.
Harakat al-Nahda wal-Islah has not demanded any ransom or any other
reciprocation yet. Krabbé doesn’t get this. ‘Eventually you come to the conclusion
that there is more behind this abduction. I think that Syria is the brain behind this
abduction. They are just waiting for the political right moment to release them. To
make a good gesture to the Western countries.’
The minister of foreign affairs of Estonia, the country where all seven are originally
from has announced that he will not pay any ransom, because of principal reasons.
In the capital Tallinn a crisis committee has been set up. Dutch authorities weren’t
informed by the abduction.
Not rested.
Estonia announced that they are working closely together with the EU ambassador
in that region. With NAVO and the local authorities, also of Lebanon. A lot of things
happened to past months, but for the safety of the seven cyclers it isn’t wise to go
further into this, according to the spokesman.
Estonia is hoping that the abducted men will be released soon. Mirko Krabbé is not
rested. He is worried about Priit and his friends.
‘You wonder how they will come back, how damaged they will be. And then I’m not
talking about a broken arm or leg, because those things heal. But I’m talking about
the mental issues.. It will costs years to overcome the trauma, if they will recover of
it.
“Terry wait kidnapped” I also found information about Terry Waite on the internet. A
man who traveled to Beirut to negotiate, but was kept as hostage himself from 1987
until 1991. Four years of lonely imprisonment.
This is Terry Waite.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/witness/november/18/newsid_2903000/29039
53.stm
I also found a story about Klaas Jan Bolt on the Internet. Who was imprisoned for
four years in a French prison while he was not guilty. After I red the book he wrote
I’ve tried to contact him. I contacted him to gather information about the way he
dealt with the injustice that was done to him and how he survived. More
information can be found on my blog: freehenktepper.nl “recht en onrecht”
This is Klaas Jan Bolt from Ezinge
The food in the prison of Beirut is very one-sided. All days spaghetti or rice. The one
who has been the longest in prison is the leader, when there arrive new prisoners.
Henk has been there for a while, as the longest prisoner, so when now prisoners
arrived he had to explain the rules to them. This doesn’t mean that you receive any
privileges over the other prisoners. Henk tried to behave the best he can and he
“liked” the three guards that guarded him and the judge.
Henk has many to thank of his Lebanese lawyer, also his wife sometimes visited
Henk to bring him food.
Until today I wrote Henk in Dutch or our own dialect, but the gentlemen in Lebanon
want to know what we are writing about, so English is the only prohibited language
to write in now. My English is not up to date, so I have a hard time. Reading English
texts is going fine, however the new English grammar is undoable for me. Therefore I
am glad that Harmien is prepared to translate my Dutch letters into English. I have
some troubles with it, because our captain already has so much to do, besides her
family and het job as a teacher.
It is the week of the 19th of December 2011 and I just received the message that
there is a new delegation on its way to Beirut, because there are some new facts
brought up. The lawyer in Canada, Pierrette and another senator, they are flying
over to meet with the government under which the minister of justice. We can write
a few letters in Dutch, the lawyer will deliver them personally to Henk. We still have
hope that Henk well be back around Christmas!
The tension is increasing by the day, and the lawyers told that they have faith in it.
(While I am writing this, the lawyer and Pierrette are still in Lebanon) Leaving my
thoughts on a free role, and thinking of all the possibilities. Watch out: this is pure
how I am seeing this.
Strategy and state of affairs.
Lets see if we can discover what the strategy of the Canadian government is.
The delegation Jim Pierrette went to Henk and initially they had good hope that
Henk would be released. However the ambassy of Canada made it impossible. Why?
Because the political future could be damaged, if Henk together with Pierrette would
come out of the plain, under great media attention.
THEIR STRATEGY: at first the delegation of Pierrette had to be home, and to get
them home empty handed they were told to meet somewhere to discuss what to do
next, that their would be possibilities to get Henk Home, but that this case was to
sensitive to handle by phone. SO THE DELEGATION turns to home sweet home, whit
out Henk. The next day their ambassador has been given the order that he has to
negotiate with the Lebanese government with the task to get Henk home. The
demands of Lebanon were heeded directly. The ambassador of Canada and Lebanon
started immediately with their task, releasing Henk Tepper, and this was done
quickly according the speed of bureaucracy.
The Lebanese government was benevolent towards the task.
WE ACCEPT IT> HOWEVER THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE HAS TO DECIDE, so make an
appointment with the minister of justice. The weekend is in between and the
minister of justice makes place for an appointment with the ambassador. Next
Wednesday, was set for the appointment. (Still has to happen) Next Wednesday an
appointment between the ambassador and the minister of justice, which in my
thought is pure for the formality, because the ambassador has the order to give
Lebanon what they’ve been asking for all along.
Every ambassador has close contacts with his own government, because they give
the orders. Than their well be a meeting in Ottawa with Jim/ Pierrette and the rest of
the Canadian government, but this is all nonsense, because the government knows
exactly what their intentions are. The answer of the government will probably be:
have patients for a few days, we will keep working behind the screens, there is good
hope that Henk will be released. But just give us a few days. If you all keep quiets
and don’t create too much tension in the media, we can do our work. You’ve been
disrupting us all along, getting media attention works counterproductive.
And then it is done Henk is coming home, Tuesday the meeting with the press.
Harmien/Ella/Pierrette this may all be a little bit inconvenient to you and the
Canadian government, but my advice is to give the Canadian government the benefit
of the doubt and don’t criticize them.
Pierrette has been a great help and human, but she is in the opposition, and she will
try to criticize the government next Tuesday. This is possible, if Henk is on the plain.
The despair comes back again, because the delegation is sitting in the plain back,
whitout Henk. Henk is disappointed and his tears and anger are speaking. Even the
Canadian family has no idea what to do, and it is all waiting for the report of the
delegation. Why didn’t they take Henk home? Reason: “politics” now it’s a pure
political case.
It is the 20th of December and Christmas whit out Henk is close now.
We often get calls of people who give us advice and are trying to help us. Usually it
makes no difference, but these people are compassionate and have good intentions.
This morning someone near Emmen called and told me a story, which I will try to
recap:
His name is unknown and he is from Emmen, He followed our case through the
media, because he worked in the export of potatoes, especially to the Middle East,
which includes Algeria and Lebanon. He was frightened about the way they’ve
imprisoned Henk under the miserable circumstances. According to him as a specialist
it is impossible to falsify documents because every shipment is checked, eventually
the export country is responsible for the delivery. He often visited Canada and
therefore he had heard a lot about Henk his company, so he knew that Henk was
also delivering potatoes to the Middle East.
He was around the age of 60, and in the past he was a farmer himself. I told him I am
no farmer, and he said he knew, because he had been following my blog. He called
pure out of interest and to show some compassion, furthermore he offered his help,
if we wanted to make use of it. He told that the Netherlands was the biggest supplier
of potatoes to the middle east and that their were good connections. He asked if I
had try to contact the attached organizations. But I didn’t, just the LTO in Holland.
He mentioned that these organization were certainly willing to help, because what
happened to Henk could happen to any Dutch citizen.
www.nao.nl
www.urlpulse.nl/aardappelwereld.nl
The chairman of “aardappelwereld” is Jaap Dilleman or Dikkeman (known by phone)
I’ve made clear to him in short that at the moment the case is more of a political
affair. He answered, that it probably was better for both of us, to just wait and see
what happens. I told him that my cousin in Canada is the point of mutual interest
and that all information goes through her. He told me that that’s very important.
He was in politics too, and rather didn’t want his name to be mentioned. However
he did gave me his name and phone number, if we wanted we had permission to call
him and if it were within his power he would help us.
End December 2011, the concerning letter from the Canadian government came
back from Lebanon, because they were not pleased with the content of the letter.
The lawyer in Canada directly contacted the Canadian government. The minister of
justice of Lebanon can’t be contacted until 15 January. This way we can wait until
forever. (a lawayer from Montreal contacted the family whether they were willing to
drop all claims or don’t start any claims, after Henk is release.
“The letter” (from the Canadian government) has to be revised. There is little
creativity needed to know what the intentions are of this action.
Its end January 2012 and Henk spend Christmas and New Years Day of 2011 both in
prison. Also his birthday which is on the 23th of January 2012. The guard brought
him a cake and this does the family and Henk well. Joe the Lebanese lawyer had
planned a business trip somewhere in a foreign country, but he decided, because of
Henk his case to stay in Lebanon. Joe would have a conversation with the minister of
justice. Always new Hope, and that’s what keeps you going.
A lawyer out of Montreal, from Lebanese origin called to offer his help. We get a lot
of messages from thirds who are offering their help.
It is still January 2012 and the concerning letter of the Canadian government has
been sent to the Lebanese government, as soon as the minister of justice is back the
conversation will take place and the letter is placed on his desk. Both Harmien and
the Canadian lawyer Jim are ready to travel to Lebanon. Again the tension increases
with the day, and waiting is almost unbearable.
The minister of justice is back, and the Lebanese lawyer Joe had a talk with the
minister of justice, who said he was willing to release Henk. I can barely believe it,
but now the concerning letter is missing. Afterwards the letter was delivered to
different ministery. And we are a week further now.
It’s the end of January and we all have hope, next Monday Henk will probably get
the green light. Even the lawyers share this thought with us. The minister now has
the letter, but now wants to contact the prime minister for some reason. So the only
thing for us to do is wait, but we have hope.
Also a senator has sent a letter to the Lebanese government. It’s the 2 nd of February
2012 and the Canadian lawyer Jim and captain Harmien are traveling to Lebanon
today. We have trust in it that this time Henk will come back with them.
Harmien mentioned that there was something in the same plain, who had followed
the whole story in the media. The world is small. Once arrived in Lebanon they first
visited Henk, Harmien brought soap and such with her, since Henk had asked for it.
Moreover she brought cookies and a Kit Kat, because he likes it. Sometimes they visit
henk once a day and sometimes it was possible to visit twice a day. Henk said that he
had slept well for the last few nights; it had been a long time.
Harmien and the lawyers’ traveled to Tripoli, where there was a meeting with a
acquaintance of the Lebanese lawyer, which on his part had acquaintances within
the government.
Three signatures are needed to release Henk, a signature of the president, the judge
and the Justice Minister. The last two signatures were done, however the president
wanted to have to formalities complete before he would set his signature, anyhow
that are the written words.
It is the 13th of February and today another there is another meeting, the president
is temporary absent and the minister of justice leaves to Cairo tomorrow. Again
Henk isn’t returning home, because the gentlemen are absent. Again a great
disappointment and Harmien her heart is broken.
You aren’t traveling all the way to Lebanon together with your lawyer to just visit
your brother, they all were counting on it that this time Henk would come back with
them.
One of the causes was, that the president had very important appointments next
week; entrepreneurs from foreign countries came to visit.
The 6th of March 2012 Jim the lawyer, traveled to Lebanon for a meeting with the
president and the minister of justice. Max, a Canadian senator from Lebanese origin
is constantly talking with the Lebanese authorities. The president would be present
now. WE’LL SEE….
The lawyers were walking in the garden of the Court House where they on accident
met the Lebanese Justice minister.
The words of the minister: “don’t worry, it will all turn out fine, we only need some
time to complete to formalities so have some patients gentlemen. Our lawyer Jim
stated that it would be best for both parties If henk could travel back to Canada with
them next Monday. Unfortunately this wasn’t the case. Today it is Tuesday and Jim is
on his way back to Canada.
It’s the 16th of March and according to the information both the president and the
minister of justice, and the judge came to the conclusion that henk will be released,
only the paperwork had to be done now.
And I think that these slugs can do it faster.
On the 23th of March nephew Henk had been in the Lebanese prison for 365 days.
Joe mentioned that the end is near now and that he will be released really soon. All
three the gentlemen have signed the letter of liberty and now it is done.
Lawyer Jim traveled on the 28th of March to Lebanon with the purpose to accompany
Henk on his way back, anyhow that’s what we are hoping for. The green light is so
close now, that it has to turn out fine. Afterwards I understand that Henk is replaced
to another prison on the 29th of March, for prisoners who leave the country. Again
under miserable circumstances. Many people in a room of 110 square meter.
Friday the 30th of March Jim, Joe and Henk are starting their journey to Canada form
the airport of Beirut, and through Frankfurt they will continue to Canada, the arrival is
planned on 9 o clock.
Finally free, Welcome home Henk.
The family is waiting for Henk in Ottawa: finally reunited.
373 days in Hell, I’m thankful I were admitted to help, even though it only was a
small part.
Family, friends of nephew Henk Tepper.
“The long rough road” the road was small, but we managed to get through.
This was only possible because we had the support of so many people. What
happened to our nephew, a small road, roads of mud with many holes in it, we could
hardly pass. Its hard to go forwards on an impassable road. Fortunately their were
many who walked the path with us, the whole family in Canada and the Netherlands.
All friends and acqaintencies in Canada and all of them in Holland, because of these
people, the road became accesible, we were able to move forward. We all had the
same goal: reach the finish, and get Henk Tepper out of jail.
We’ve shed blood, sweat and a lot of tears, but through our teamwork, Facebook,
media, my weblog “freehenktepper” and the press. Everything little thing contributed
to rebuild the road.
Together we’ve made the road accessible, now it is a paved road with lights and
traffic signs, with the text “forward together”. We have to admit, it has been a long
road of more than 365 days, but we made it to the finish. To reach the finish you need
a captain and leaders who are fully equiped with bags and food supplies. The captain
was Harmien Dione Tepper and the leaders were our lawyers Jim and Joe. On our
road we needed guides like Pierrette and…………. Again the worth “together” I can
honestly day that I am gratefull that so many people have walked the path to release
Nephew Henk. It was worth all the hard times, imprisoned without any charges
against him.
Thanks to anyone who is willing to receive it.
Uncle Henk
After henk was released, I’ve contacted him several times. Henk is doing well
according to the circumstances he’s in. The first week specialist did a lot of tests with
Henk to see if he was okay. The advice: Try to pick up your old life, like you were
living before you got arrested.
His second week he started to plant potatoes again, and additional activities.
Henk said: I have a million things to do and businneses I have to take care of at the
moment, I have no time to think of what happened in Lebanon, but most of all I
don’t want to.
Henk: “I’m grateful that so many people sympathized with me and my family, THANK
YOU ALL FOR THIS.
The words that touched me the most: “Uncle Henk, I really appreciate the support
you gave me, it helped me to survive. THANK YOU.
To me it didn’t feel as a commitment, but when you care about someone the brain
just take over. I’m just thankful that I was able to help.
Uncle Henk Tepper, Zuidbroek