A man who helped arrange the murder of a Dutch convicted killer-turned-crime writer has been jailed for at least 25 years.

Christopher Hughes, 33, was with Martin Kok, 49, when he was shot and killed outside the Boccaccio Club in Laren, Holland on December 8 2016.

Hughes, a member of an organised crime gang, had alerted others to Mr Kok’s location and let them know when he was leaving the club.

Mr Kok, who had been convicted of murder, had set up a blog detailing the activities of criminals.

Hughes was convicted of murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow and sentenced to life, with a minimum term of 25 years.

The 33-year-old from Glasgow was also sentenced to six years for his involvement in serious organised crime, to run concurrently with the other sentence.

Prosecutors said that for almost seven years between July 1 2013 and January 7 2020, Hughes was involved in an organised crime group with international reach.

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He was involved in the importation and supply of cocaine, firearms and ammunition, money laundering, and the setting up of a company to supply encrypted communication devices to gangs throughout the world.

After Hughes was found guilty, Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Houston described him as “a dangerous individual” and said his conviction is a “testament to Police Scotland’s commitment to relentlessly pursuing criminals who think they are untouchable or above the law.”

Laura Buchan, Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework, said: “Christopher Hughes was a key member of an organised crime gang for many years, facilitating criminal behaviour which culminated in the brutal murder of Martin Kok.

“The conviction of Hughes was truly a collaborative and international effort, and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) worked closely with colleagues in both Scotland and Holland to ensure Hughes answered for his actions. It is thanks to this great work with international justice colleagues that we were able to prosecute Hughes.”

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