Police from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands need help to identify 22 dead women and girls
Police in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands are asking for the public’s help to identify 22 women and girls who they believe have been murdered.
The bodies were discovered across the three European countries between October 1976 and August 2019.
This tattoo was found on a woman’s left forearm. Her body was discovered in the Groot Schijn River in Antwerp, Belgium, in June 1992. Pic: Interpol
“Most of the 22 victims died violently, and some were also abused or starved before they died,” said Carina van Leeuwen and Martin de Wit in a statement by the Netherlands police.
They added: “Partly because the women are likely from countries other than where they were found, their identities have not yet been established.
“It is possible that their bodies were left in our countries to impede criminal investigations.”
A suitcase containing the torso of a female was found in a canal in Amsterdam in September 1992. The victim’s hands, legs and other body parts were discovered elsewhere. Pic: Interpol
Despite extensive police investigations, the victims have never been identified, and evidence suggests they could be foreign nationals and may have come from other countries.
Who they are, where they are from and why they were in these three countries is unknown.
Details about the cases – some of which have remained unsolved for decades – have been revealed in the hope that someone might recognise a victim.
“We want to stress that we are looking for names,” said Carolien Opdecam, of the Belgian police force.
“The victim’s identity is often the key to unlocking the mysteries of a case.”
One victim, aged between 14 to 24 years old, who was found in the Albert Canal in Belgium, near the Dutch border, in May 2009, had a floral pattern on two of her false nails. Pic: Interpol
With some of the murdered women believed to have come from specific regions in Eastern Europe, detectives hope identifying them may also provide evidence on the perpetrators of these crimes.
Anja Allendorf, of the German police, said: “In similar investigations, establishing the victim’s identity ultimately has led to the arrest of a suspect.”
The remains of a female aged between 16 and 35 were found in this bag found dumped in the IJ River in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in May 2004. Pic: Interpol
The police forces of all three countries have come together to launch Operation Identify Me through Interpol.
The international police group has for the first time made public some details of so-called black notices which are used to seek information and intelligence on unidentified bodies and to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
One victim, believed to be around 20 years old, was wearing these size 38 Roberto Santi sandals when her partially burnt body was discovered in a pit in the town of Todtnau, in southern Germany, in July 1997. Pic: Interpol
Black notices are usually circulated internally among Interpol’s global network of police forces.
The cases include a woman with a flower tattoo who was found in the Groot Schijn River in Antwerp, Belgium; the discovery of a body which had been burned in a forest in Altena-Bergfeld in Germany; and the remains of a female believed to be 16-35 years old which were found in a bag in the IJ River in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The facial reconstruction of a woman whose body was found buried in a forest northwest of Berlin, Germany, in November 1998. She was dressed in men’s clothing. Pic: Interpol
Details on each case have been made available on the Interpol website showing facial reconstructions of some of the victims, as well as videos and pictures of items such as jewellery and clothing which were discovered at the various sites where their remains were dumped.
It also includes information such as their estimated age, hair and eye colour and other physical characteristics such as tattoos.
The facial reconstruction of a victim, aged between 16 and 22, whose body was found in a red suitcase in a canal in Schiedam, the Netherlands, in October 2005. Pic: Interpol
Members of the public, particularly those who remember a missing friend or relative, are being invited to contact their national police should they have any information.
Tooth jewellery in the form of a diamond-like rhinestone was found on a victim whose torched body was found in a forest in Altena-Bergfeld, Germany, in June 1997. Pic: Interpol
Read more from Sky News:
Trump attacks ‘biased’ judge after jury finds he sexually abused writer
Man pleads guilty to hacking stars’ Twitter accounts
Ireland fails to qualify for grand final of Eurovision Song Contest
This bracelet is believed to belong to a victim whose body was found wrapped in plastic in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, in January 1995. Pic: Interpol
“Black Notices allow law enforcement agencies to collaborate and share information across borders, ultimately helping to bring closure to the families of the deceased and bring offenders to justice,” said Susan Hitchin, coordinator of Interpol’s DNA Unit.
“Advances in technology across the different fields of forensic human identification have been significant in helping solve cold cases.”
Ukraine’s justice and energy ministers have resigned amid a major embezzlement and kickbacks scandal involving the state nuclear power company.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the removal of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk on Wednesday, with the pair later submitting their resignations.
The damaging scandal – fast becoming one of the most significant government crises since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion – has put top officials under scrutiny.
It could not come at a worse time for Ukraine, as Russia’s renewed attacks on energy infrastructure cause rolling blackouts and Kyiv’s outnumbered forces retreat under relentless assaults.
Svitlana Grynchuk file image. Pic: Reuters
Site of a Russian drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on 12 November, 2025. Pic: Reuters
At the centre of the scandal, Mr Halushchenko and other well-known ministers and officials are alleged to have gained payments from constructing fortifications against Moscow’s assaults on energy infrastructure. Former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov is also alleged to have been involved.
Mr Halushchenko said he would defend himself legally, while Mr Grynchuk posted on social media: “Within the scope of my professional activities there were no violations of the law.”
The findings of a 15-month investigation, including 1,000 hours of wiretaps, were revealed by the same anti-corruption watchdogs Mr Zelenskyy sought to weaken earlier this year.
Herman Halushchenko – file image. Pic: Reuters
Blackout in Ukraine. Pic: Reuters
These resulted in the detention of five people, and another seven linked to about $100m (£76m) in alleged kickbacks in the energy sector.
Ukrainian officials are scrambling for European funds to manage mounting energy shortages as Moscow targets critical infrastructure and natural gas production in an attempt to damage public morale.
The nation has been plagued by corruption since gaining independence, and Mr Zelenskyy was elected on a mandate to eliminate graft.
Read more:
Newly opened 758-metre bridge in China collapses
Police in Germany arrest suspected Hamas member
Military procurement scandals also led to the ousting of Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov in 2023.
Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker with Zelenskyy’s party, said the scandal looks “really bad in the eyes of our European and American partners”.
He said: “Internally this scandal will be used to undermine unity and stability within the country. Externally, our enemies will use it as an argument to stop aid to Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Galushchenko and former Energoatom CEO Petro Kotin. Pic: Reuters
“While Russians destroy our power grid and people have to endure blackouts, someone at the top was stealing money during the war.”
But questions remain over how high the alleged corruption goes.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau, known as NABU, refrained from identifying the suspects.
But it said they included a businessman, a former adviser to the energy minister, an executive who oversaw physical protection at state energy company Energoatem, and others responsible for money laundering. It dubbed the scheme “Midas”.
The agency also accused eight people of abuse of office, bribery, and possession of disproportionate assets.
The investigation, which NABU said conducted over 70 raids, was welcomed by the Ukrainian president, who urged officials to cooperate with it. Energoatom said the inquiry didn’t disrupt its operations.
Situation on the battlefield
NABU released excerpts of tapes in which the network, using code names and secretive language, discussed blackmail and pressuring Energoatom contractors to extract 10% to 15% in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for them to do business without facing internal blocks.
The network took advantage of a regulation enforced during martial law prohibiting contractors from claiming debts in court from companies providing essential services, such as Energoatom, which has annual revenues of around $4.7 billion (£3.6 billion). Four others worked to launder the money at a Kyiv office.
The tapes, which have not been independently verified, say about $1.2 million was handed to a former deputy prime minister, whom the plotters called “Che Guevara,” after the Argentinian revolutionary leader.
Ms Svyrydenko also said the cabinet submitted proposals to apply sanctions against Timur Mindich, a close associate of Zelenskyy, and businessman Alexander Tsukerman.
World
Police in Germany arrest suspected Hamas member who ‘acquired Glock pistols to attack Jewish institutions’
Police in Germany have arrested a suspected Hamas member who allegedly obtained guns and ammunition to attack Jewish targets.
Lebanese-born Borhan El-K was picked up on the motorway after crossing into Germany from the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.
In a statement, the German federal prosecutor’s office alleged in August he had procured an automatic rifle, eight Glock pistols and more than 600 pieces of ammunition in Germany.
It’s claimed the weapons were then handed to Wael FM, another suspected member of the Palestinian armed group Hamas, in Berlin.
Wael FM was arrested with the items on 1 October along with two other men named as Adeb Al G and Ahmad I.
Police officer – file image. Pic: iStock
The men, whose full names have not been released due to German privacy laws, were charged with preparing a serious act of violence endangering the German state and being members of a foreign terrorist organisation.
Authorities believe that the group had been gathering supplies since the summer.
“The weapons were intended for use by Hamas in assassination attacks on Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany,” the federal prosecutor’s office said in a statement at the time.
Read more from Sky News:
NASA cancels space launch as ‘cannibal storm’ heads to Britain
Newly opened 758-metre bridge in China collapses
A source suggested that the first three men were detained when they met for the weapons handover.
The arrests came a day before Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
Hamas – which is considered a terrorist organisation by the EU – previously denied any connection to the men and said the allegations against it were “baseless”.
Another alleged member of the group, Mohammed A, was arrested on 3 November in London at the request of German police.
He’s accused of taking five handguns and ammunition from Abed Al G and transporting them to Vienna where they were stored.
This morning Danish Police searched premises linked to Borhan El-K and another suspect in and around Copenhagen following Mr El-K’s arrest on Tuesday.
He was due to appear before a judge today.
In February, four suspected Hamas members went on trial in Berlin accused of plotting attacks on Jewish sites in Europe.
Hackers working for the Chinese military and government have been probing Australia’s key infrastructure and telecoms network, warns spy chief.
Mike Burgess, director-general of security for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, warned Australians could have their water and electricity supplies cut off as well as extensive banking trouble if hackers managed to cause widespread telecoms disruption.
“Foreign governments have elite teams investigating these possibilities right now,” Mr Burgess insisted.
However, China‘s foreign ministry accused Burgess’s statement of spreading false narratives.
Pic: Reuters
The warning demonstrates the difficulty faced by Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese in trying to keep China close economically while trying to mitigate security concerns.
Burgess said espionage was estimated to have cost the country A$12.5bn (£6.2bn) last year, including billions in trade secrets and intellectual property.
In particular, he highlighted the activities of the Chinese hacking groups Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon.
He highlighted how Salt Typhoon had previously penetrated US telecoms systems intending to disrupt operations and pre-position for potential sabotage.
Burgess also warned that Australian companies could be crippled as trade competitors or that elections could be affected.
Chinese officials made complaints to the Australian government and private sector about ASIO whenever he spoke
publicly about China, Burgess said during a speech last week. “It won’t stop my resolve,” he said.
Not the first time alarms have been raised
Concerns were raised in Canberra in February after Chinese warships conducted live-fire drills with minimal warning in the Tasman Sea.
Australian authorities only heard about the drills when a commercial pilot for Virgin Australia notified Airservices Australia.
Chinese frigate Hengyang, one of three vessels involved in the circumnavigation of Australia. Pic: Australian Defense Force /AP
The drills resulted in 49 flights having to change their path.
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024