Two newly appointed lawyers for alleged crime boss Ridouan Taghi are demanding a postponement of his appeal until March 2028 to allow sufficient time to review the extensive case file. They warned the Amsterdam Court of Appeal they will withdraw from the defense if their request for 18 months of preparation is denied. Taghi has been without legal representation for over a year, halting progress in the high-profile Marengo murder trial. The lawyers are also requesting unrestricted access to Taghi, currently held in a maximum-security prison, without requiring permission from the Minister of Justice for visits. They acknowledge the unusual nature of their ultimatum but argue the complexity of the case necessitates the extended preparation period. Finding legal counsel for Taghi has proven difficult, as previous lawyers have been arrested and the case is considered high-risk. The lawyers questioned their own motivations for taking on the defense, given the challenging circumstances.