PREVIOUSLY
When were you going to tell me? It was in your bedside table.
What about the money? Why is it taking so long?
There isn't a million euros just lying around waiting for us.
Do those men know there's a ransom ready, yes or no?
I can't tell you anything about that.
I've searched everywhere. No flash drive.
Who does the accounts? Your wife?
Why don't you ask if Serge knows about that money?
For God's sake, tell me what's going on.
Can you hear that? That's my pistol against the girl's head.
I'll kill her, pal, I mean it!
No, we discussed it.
Not this! I never said I thought this was a good idea.
I won't leave you alone. Press the button.
Freya!
We've been thinking they're calling us via Skype
but they created a program that resembles it to listen in.
May I please borrow this gentleman? Thank you.
- Is the camera yours? - There's no camera.
There's one hidden in the alarm.
- It drives back out again? - At least one of the offenders left.
- I wouldn't be surprised if they've gone. - In theory we can go in.
Lima 1 to Ivo. One victim safe. We're taking him outside.
Okay, Lima 1. Lima 2, clear the basement.
- I can hear something. - What? What can you hear?
- Not the bomb! - Have you got a better idea?
We're trying to block all frequencies.
Fuck, it won't stop!
Okay, Michael, just stay calm. We'll get the thing oft.
Where's the speaker, Michael? Michael, where's the speaker?
On the left, on a shelf as you come in.
It's on your left, on a shelf as you come in.
Just lie there calmly.
Clear.
Hello? ls someone there?
Hello?
Camera deactivated. You can turn the light on again.
Turn it off!
- It's off. - Outside, go left.
Okay, clear. Outside.
On the ground, Miss, on the ground.
- Just keep calm. - Take it off, please!
- We're going to free you. - No, take it off. Please!
We're going to free you, Miss. Keep calm.
Take it easy. Stay calm.
Just lie there calmly. Don't move.
I can't get a grip. The screw's protruding too far.
- It's taking too long. - Here. Try the display.
Get it oh', get it off, get it off...
- And? - I can't see it. We can't risk it.
- How long have we got? - Twenty seconds.
Immobilise her.
No, no, no. No!
- I'd like to stay but I'm not allowed to. - Take it off, please!
No! Take it off!
Freya? We're sorry but we have to follow the rules.
Just sit there calmly for a moment. We'll take it off your neck.
Okay, clear. Come on.
There has just been increased activity and tension
among the police on the perimeter.
A number of vehicles came and went via the service centre's rear entrance
but no explanation was given,
so the police decision not to update us on the hostage situation
remains unchanged for now.
We are now going live to the scene...
- And? - No one.
I'll tell Lima to go. I doubt there's much more we can do.
Right. I'll tell them.
OFFENDERS LISTENING IN!
- And? What did Ivo say? - The same.
They won't storm the bank as long as negotiations are ongoing.
- So all the pressure is on us. - Okay.
We've talked about it.
Ibrahim and I think it may be best to get Noor and Freya released first.
- That's rather optimistic. - Yes, I know.
- Some coffee? - Please.
Thank you.
- Hello? - Tel/ me, pal. What's happening?
Everyone's being kept away from the bank
and they are busy working out the best way for us to...
Do you think I don't know what you're up to?
What do you mean?
I ask you for stuff, you say you're on it. But you're not.
When I look outside, I still can? see a helicopter waiting.
BRIEFING NOW
- Get on with it. - Yes, sir. I know what you think but...
Don'! tell me what I think! HI decide what I think.
And I'm sick of your excuses. I don't want them, I want a helicopter.
- Let me explain why it's taking so long. - You won't explain anything.
I think the only way of making you listen is if I shoot someone in the head!
Is that what you want?
Shit.
Hi. Sorry, sorry, I know I was going to call you back but...
No, I haven't been able to leave yet. I'm sorry, Ellen, but it's...
No, I don't want to wait until Dad is dead.
Ellen, listen. Let me explain.
Ellen? But... Ellen!
- Sorry. - Sir!
Could you please stay in the area?
Any questions, you can always phone me.
- You all right? - Yeah, I'm all right.
So they've spent the whole day surrounding an empty building.
Is there any indication of where they could be?
Number plates, phone towers?
No, still no clues.
Freya and Michaél are in shock. They're with Victim Support.
We'll interview them soon to find out what happened.
We have one advantage. The offenders don't know we've been in there.
If we can delay things, drag out the negotiations,
we can buy time to find out where they really are.
- Vos, can you manage that? - Yes. We'll do our best.
We have to go on pretending to surround the bank.
No one can know Freya and Michaél are free.
Have their families been informed?
Surely you have to tell the families.
Look, we are aware it's an unusual decision to make.
I'd like to go through the swimming pool guy's images again.
If I can remember his password.
- Password. - I know. I hadn't forgotten.
Oh, I can't log in.
How come? He was here a minute ago...
Excuse me.
Is that guy from the swimming pool with you lot?
- Who? - That guy... open that door.
- Come on, get out. All of you. - May I ask what's going on?
No. Get out, and hands off that computer.
Freya... lvo De Rouck, Federal Police.
When can I go home?
I know it's not a good time but others are involved
and I need to ask you some questions, okay?
Your colleagues abandoned me with a bomb around my neck,
so I really don't feel like talking to cops or anyone else.
I just want to go home.
Sorry, I'll be right back.
Could I maybe talk to the man who freed me?
- Did they send the pictures to the station? - I don't know.
I asked Marnix to change the pool guy's password, just in case.
It's not allowed, but if it gets out we're screwed.
And I can hardly arrest them, they're journalists.
Okay. I'll talk to the public prosecutor.
We still have to interview Michael and Freya. That's urgent too.
You start. I'll try to sort this out.
Fine.
Can I please have my phone back?
I want to ask my lawyer if you can just keep us here.
I don't think you can.
True, but you haven't been arrested. You're just witnesses.
- I want to ask you not to use the images. - Why not?
Two people have just been freed. That's good news.
We don't want the images broadcast, in the interest of the negotiations.
Why have my camera and our phones been seized?
- Are they witnesses too? - No.
But you may have filmed something that could help our investigation.
You never know.
Right, so if we haven't been arrested, we can just get up and leave?
In theory, yes. But only after I have taken your statements.
First I'd like to go through the images from that camera
and the one on your wall.
- All of them? - Yes.
Good luck. We filmed for more than an hour and a half.
Then we know what to do for the next hour and a half.
We had to roll up the money and flush it down the toilet.
Down the toilet?
Yes, in plastic tubes. We had to flush them one by one.
Can you get someone from the wastewater company?
Sorry.
Can you give me a description of the offenders?
They had hoods over their heads. I didn't see their faces.
Apart from their faces.
Were they tall or short? How did they sound or behave?
One was very quick-tempered.
He was rather wound up.
The other one was calmer.
No, not calmer.
I don't know.
He seemed to be...
scared of what was going on.
Okay. Why did they put Michael in the vestibule? Do you know?
I wanted to hang up a piece of paper to let you know they weren't there.
- But Freya didn't agree. - Why didn't Freya agree?
I was scared...
of what those guys would do.
Because of that neck bomb.
- And you weren't scared? - Yes, of course I was but...
Because they had hoods on, I sort of wasn't worried...
I thought that since they didn't show their faces, it meant that we...
would get to talk about it afterwards.
- Who has access to the storeroom? - Everyone, I think.
It's never locked, so... but I rarely or never go in there.
- And... that safe is no longer used? - That's what they told me.
Who?
Walter.
Then you got me out of there.
Okay. I think we've got enough for now.
Unless you want to add something.
Freya?
I don't know, I may be wrong, but...
I had the feeling...
that one of those men seemed familiar.
But I... can't place him.
Which one of the two?
The one who spoke to us through the speaker.
But like I said, it's just a feeling. I may be wrong.
Okay. That's important. h' it comes to mind, let us know.
When can I go home?
You're going to have to be patient, I'm afraid.
We've got all those images on our computer in the van.
You can look at them there, if you want. Then we can go on using the camera.
Yeah... but I'd rather look at them together with you.
- See anything else while up on the roof? - Anything else?
- Anything at all. - I think I saw a bird.
What kind of bird, do you remember?
Otherwise I'll just write "bird”.
Arne.
I'll be right back.
You took the first one with you.
Yes, but we only took the device on the ceiling
because we were certain it wasn't a real bomb. It was empty.
- And you're not sure about these two? - No. We can't see what's inside.
All we can do is carry out a controlled explosion. That's normal procedure.
But this isn't a normal situation. Can't you just take them away?
You can go and get them. I'm not touching home-made junk like that.
Controlled or not, if it's exploded in the square, people will panic.
No one will go for that. Certainly not the offenders.
- So that was in the safe? - Yes, on its own in a corner.
- The sewer guys are here. - I'll be right there.
Password. Might have known.
- Can it be hacked? - All passwords can be hacked.
- Are you going to wait? - How long will it take?
In the best case, a few seconds.
- And in the worst? - A few billion years.
- Cut the crap. - I'm serious.
A password with 32 characters, 128 bits, AES encryption, up to 0.11 trillion years,
with the best computer in the world, so...
Plus the number of seconds you two spend breathing down my neck.
Right.
If those tubes are flushed here,
then they come along here, into the main sewer, this one.
And then it goes along this road, beside the canal.
- The bank hasn't got a septic tank? - No building in the square has one.
- Where does it eventually come out? - Here, in the treatment plant.
- Maybe they collected them there. - How many people work there?
No one. One computer, that's all.
And someone checks it two mornings a week.
- What do you reckon, send a team? - Yes.
You can if you like, but we've just been there.
- When? - Two hours ago, for something minor.
See anything unusual? Signs of a break-in? A vehicle?
No, the gate was closed, the doors locked.
If someone collected them on the way, where would be the best spot?
Could be anywhere. Between the square and the treatment plant,
there are at least 50 manhole covers you can access.
Then shouldn't we start by checking those covers?
Yes, let's start with that.
Okay, yes. Actually, I'd like to put two teams on it.
No, that's the most urgent. No. Yes, but...
Sir, sir...
Sir! Madam...
Sir.
Sir, I've already told you you can't just burst in here.
That should be enough.
- What's up? - Mr and Mrs Van Landschoot.
He has a ransom of 160,000 euros. He'd like it to be offered to those men.
You may pass that on.
And tell them a helicopter is standing by, ready to come here.
Please ensure our daughter is released.
- Losing a child... - You won't. We are doing everything...
We already have.
Our son committed suicide 18 months ago.
We can't cope with losing our daughter too.
- Mum! - Sweetheart...
They have to stay here. They already know.
Dad.
Nothing. Close it.
That's it.
"Unexploded ordnance has been found in a field
"for the second time in five years.
"Two hand grenades from the First World War.
"A member of the public spotted them
"and called the emergency services.
"The bomb squad will carry out a controlled explosion later today
"using a conventional explosive with a small charge
"so there is no danger to local residents. End of press release.”
- That's fine. - Yes, send it out.
We've got something.
They found a tube of money a kilometre from the town centre.
- One? - Yes, one.
Either they collected everything there and lost one,
or it got stuck along the way.
I told them to carry on looking.
Okay. I've just called the bank's head office.
They knew nothing about that safe.
They suspect it's from before their takeover of Fides.
Right, so a few million in cash that no one knows about.
Can you make a list of everyone caught with black money in the region
in the past 20 years?
Larger amounts. Anything above 50,000 euros.
Yep.
These men know too much about the bank.
How can you know that unless you work there?
So what do you think?
At least one of those four must have something to do with it.
The hostage situation has been deadlocked for some time.
Since the release of the youngest hostage Basil Hawal
and the delivery of food a short time later,
the situation has now reached a complete stalemate.
Negotiations are said to be ongoing
but the atmosphere in which they are being conducted
and whether a solution is close are currently unclear.
- Take a seat. - Thank you.
Andrea, there is a safe with a huge amount of money in it.
Only customers know what's in those safes.
Not an official one, an old one in the filing room.
A few million in cash is a bit strange.
So I got my colleagues to draw up a list
of everyone from around here caught with black money.
One of the first names they found was this man here.
Your brother.
Guilty of fraud with his transport company at the end of the 90s.
Black money. 7 million Belgian francs.
Dirk died of cancer three years ago.
- Is it necessary to throw that in my face? - No, but...
But Walter's name is mentioned in the case too.
Walter was cleared of all charges. He had nothing to do with that money.
It says here "lack of evidence”. That's not necessarily the same thing.
Your husband is still a hostage, so the more we know
the greater the chance of it ending well for him.
He had nothing to do with it.
- What did Andrea tell you? - Nothing.
But I'm almost certain she or Walter set up this scheme.
And who does that money in the safe belong to? Do we know that yet?
Either lots of little fraudsters who amassed a few million or...
I don't know, it's starting to smell of Rolf Van Landschoot.
- Because his daughter was in there? - Yes. But there's also his son.
Nils Van Landschoot. Arrested two years ago at the airport
with 400,000 euros in his luggage and a ticket to Cyprus.
- Where is he now? - He supposedly raided the family fortune.
"He got the money from selling antique heirlooms and paintings.”
That is pretty fishy.
- Where is he? Can we talk to him? - No, he hanged himself in prison.
- Do we have to let Rolf go, then? - Anything concrete against him?
- No. - Then we have to let him go.
Freya's father says on TV you won't let him give it to us.
- I said the time frame is difficult but... - I don't care if it's difficult.
That money will be here at the agreed time. If you even think of...
Do you think they would detonate Freya's bomb
if it came to the crunch?
No, I don't think so.
He's open to reason. Especially when he hears the good news later.
- Good afternoon. - How As our arrangement going?
I've got some good news. The bank wants to give you 160,000 euros
but the public prosecutor wants you to release everyone first.
Noor, Freya, Serge, Michael and Walter.
What about that helicopter?
They're working on it but it will probably be okay.
HI think about it. I'll call you back.
If the bank can spare 160,000 euros, it can also spare a million.
They made more than 200 million euros' profit last year.
The helicopter is ready, so is the money. 160,000 euros isn't to be sniffed at.
Didn't you hear me? It's a million or nothing.
I'll tell you what. Every time you fuck me about, the price goes up!
It's 1.5 million now. You've got an hour and a half.
Or the people here will die.
Hey, sir, I'm happy to find a solution with you
but it's difficult if you keep threatening to blow up those two people.
TWO People? Why did Yo" $3)' TWO people?
I mean...
She insists Walter has nothing to do with it.
There's a big chance those guys are on to us.
- They know we've been in the bank. - How?
Something I said revealed we knew how many people were in there.
What did you say?
That he had to stop threatening to blow up those two people.
- Fucking hell! - I don't believe it.
Madam Prosecutor, we all share responsibility.
Ibrahim has done a fantastic job up till now.
We'd never have drawn it out for so long without him.
How likely is it they'll phone back?
- Highly unlikely, I think. - lvo...
Later.
Now what? Technically, we no longer have a hostage situation.
The others haven't been found yet...
I mean here. What's the point of maintaining that perimeter?
We can't keep people out in the cold for nothing.
No, but if we remove it they'll know we're giving up here.
Let them think that.
Yes?
I'll make that known. Then those people can go home.
You can let the camera team go.
Now for a press conference before rumours start.
Okay. I'll tell the relatives before they hear it from the media.
Ivo to all teams, we're removing the perimeter.
You can go.
I'm asking my editor to complain about the cops in general
and you in particular, just so you know.
Fine.
I've got some news.
After hours of an apparent stalemate in the hostage situation at the bank,
important news appears to be on its way.
The police and the local authorities have just announced a press conference
at which they say they will apprise us
of important recent events and developments.
What they are will hopefully become clear in a few minutes.
- I hope there's no media? - Shouldn't be.
A press conference is being held.
- Mr Van Landschoot? - Yes.
I just wanted to ask, what do you think those men wanted?
- Money, I assume. - What money?
Obviously not mine, eh?
That's the hardest thing about our job.
The consequences if we make a mistake.
It took me 25 years to learn to accept that.
Is that what happened to the fallen angel, a mistake?
If no one tells you afterwards
that there was nothing you could have done...
then you know, eh?
So what happened?
Unless you'd rather not talk about it.
We got a call. A man was threatening his wife and daughter with a knife
on the balcony of his apartment.
So we went there.
I get him on the line. High on alcohol and pills.
Totally paranoid, but I'm usually good with cases like that.
I feel I've clicked with him.
Suddenly he hides behind a sheet hanging up to dry on the balcony.
He gets into a right state because he sees one of our snipers.
He grabs his daughter and drags her inside
and starts shouting everyone has to go or he'll kill his daughter.
One of the snipers says he has a clear shot from the side.
Ivo asks what he should do. Shoot or not?
And I say I think we can still talk him out of it.
At that moment the guy calls me.
And I say something stupid.
Next thing we know...
he comes out and throws his daughter over the balcony.
The girl grabs the sheet but then falls to the ground below.
"L know you love your daughter, and what has she done to you?”
That's what I said, when the guy had blown a fuse
because he saw his daughter tipping his pills and alcohol down the toilet.
He hadn't mentioned it for half an hour and maybe he'd forgotten
and then I reminded him.
I see that image every night.
That little girl falling down wrapped in that sheet.
It looked like two wings.
When things are fine, I'm not wanted.
And when you don't know what to do, I get to explain.
- That's what it amounts to, right? - I'll do the talking.
Good afternoon.
Ibrahim? lvo wants the conversations with the offender to be typed
to draw up a better profile.
We can set up inside.
- Can you stay by the phone? - Okay.
If there are any more developments, we will keep you posted. Thank you.
Thank you.
That was the very surprising press statement from the police.
Eric Van Der Sypt, the public prosecutofls spokesman, has now joined us again.
Well, Mr...
Yes, thank you.
- How did the press conference go? - Great. They were very understanding.
Hold on. Marnix has opened that flash drive.
- "&Fides2003". - Sorry?
- The password. - And?
Not bad. Not that good either, since it didn't take me long.
No, I mean what's on the flash drive?
An Excel sheet listing everything that went in and out of that safe.
Apparently two customers regularly brought in money,
a big fish and a little shrimp who stopped three years ago.
Could be Andrea's brother. He died three years ago.
- How much was in that safe today? - It was... just over three million.
- Wow, that much. - Yes. It was collected regularly
but that stopped 18 months ago, which is why so much was in there.
Then those guys must have known now was a good time.
18 months ago. How much was removed then?
Let's see.
How much was Rolf's son caught with at the airport?
- 400,000. - 400,000.
Send a team there now. I'll get a search warrant.
Didn't you hear what I said? There isn't going to be any bargaining.
Do what I say or there will be consequences.
ARCHIVE VIDEO: FALLEN ANGEL
- Full stop. - That girl hasn't done you any harm.
- The others haven't done anything either. - Sir, that girl is 15.
Hey, Bram, pal.
The evidence was in the same safe as your money.
I'm telling you, the money in that safe is not mine.
You can turn my accounts inside out.
You won't find a thing about black money.
Because it's not there, or you think it's well enough hidden?
We really are going to turn your accounts inside out. You do realise that?
Your son was arrested at the airport
with a large amount of cash in his luggage.
I'm warning you, leave my son out of this.
400,000 euros in cash.
That's not peanuts.
Where did Nils get all that money from?
He'd stolen family jewels and antiques.
Worth 400,000 euros?
Yes.
I read here that Nils was supposed to succeed you as CEO of Mahltex,
a company worth millions of euros.
So why would he run off with a few hundred thousand,
to a country where banks happen to be rather lax?
Sir, I'm happy to find a solution with you
but it's difficult if you keep threatening to blow up those two people.
TWO People? Why did Yo" $3)' TWO people?
I'm happy to find a solution with you
but it's difficult if you keep threatening to biow up those two people.
TWO People? Why did you Say twQ peopm?
I mean...
I know I screwed up, but must you listen to it 100,000 times?
I think I know where those guys are.
I'm not saying it's true. But let's assume it is for now.
Nils was your money courier.
It goes well a few times but the moment he gets caught,
antiques and jewellery worth 400,000 euros suddenly disappear.
A story about a son who has stolen the stuff is invented
and Nils goes to prison for a few months.
No fun for him, of course.
But in exchange for whatever you promised him,
he ensures the black-money racket is not exposed.
Correct?
If you've got a different version...
My son did something stupid. I don't know why.
He stole from the family.
And then, out of guilt, he committed suicide in his cell.
And that isn't my version of the story.
It's the only version.
- What's so urgent? - Vos found something.
Ivo, this is the last conversation with the offender.
We always record the sound on two separate tracks.
One track is what we hear on the telephone,
the other track is what Ibrahim says on his microphone.
Maybe you could play the telephone.
Will die.
Hey, sir, I'm happy to find a solution with you
but it's difficult if you keep threatening to blow up those two people.
TWO People? Why did Yo" $3)' TWO people?
That's the bomb squad detonating those neck bombs.
Now exactly the same, but what came through lbrahim's microphone.
Or the people here will die.
Hey, sir, I'm happy to find a solution with you
but it's difficult if you keep threatening to blow up those two people.
TWO People? Why did Yo" $3)' TWO people?
I mean...
- That's much later. - And much quieter too.
So two things. Those guys heard that explosion too
and the sound was much earlier and much louder.
So they are closer to the spot where the bomb exploded than we are.
Yes. And I think we can also work out approximately where.
I've just looked it up.
Wikipedia says the speed of sound at zero degrees is 331 metres per second.
And... hold on, where were the bomb squad going to detonate those bombs?
- In a field beside Heinestraat. - Yes.
So the distance from there to here is, hold on...
is approximately 1.8 kilometres.
Okay-
So... divided by 331
is... hold on.
Divided by 331.
Is 5.4. That means the sound of that explosion
took 5.4 seconds from there to us.
Yes. And how many seconds are there between the explosions?
- 4.6. - That's a difference of 0.8.
So they were only 0.8 seconds from where those bombs were detonated.
Times 331 is 265 metres.
So...
They're at that sewage treatment plant after all.
- Shall we go in the van? - No, we'll go with lvo.
Ivo!
Hello?
I'm on my way.
Flashing lights off.
Sierra 4, around the back. Alpha 1 and 2, stand by with explosives.
Inside, two men by all doors and the gate. Four men extra for cover.
Inside, two men by all doors and the gate right away.
Four men extra for cover.
Alpha 1 and 2, in position. Over.
- Alpha 5 in position. Alpha 6 in position. - Sierra 1 to 4 in position, over.
- What do I say? - You decide.
But no more negotiations. That's over.
Say it's over. Tell him to come out.
Sir, the premises are surrounded.
I ask you to come out calmly and unarmed. It's over.
It's over.
Iask you to come out calmly and unarmed.
Then no one will get hurt.
Everyone ready to go in. Three, two, one. Go.
Federal Police, drop your guns! Drop your guns and get on the ground!
Sierra 2, first upstairs room cleared. We're now in a warehouse.
Sierra 1, there's a locked door.
- Sierra 1, we're breaking the door down. - Sierra 2, upstairs clear.
Ivo, we've got a body.
Subtitles © SBS Australia 2018