Themis
| Predecessor | Toetanchamon |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Eef Hoos |
| Type | Foundation |
| Purpose | Support for prisoners and former prisoners |
| Services | Debt collection and private security |
Publication | The mis-Take |
| Era | Vriend Era |
Themis is a Dutch foundation founded in 1997 by Eef Hoos to support prisoners and former prisoners. It succeeded Toetanchamon as the central organization of the Hoos family and also operates debt-collection and private-security services. Themis established offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, including a British department led by Richard Hoos from 2004 until 2024.[1][2][3]
History
Eef Hoos established Themis in 1997, two years after his release from prison. He began advocating for prisoners and former prisoners through the foundation, which published a magazine called The mis-Take for distribution in prisons. The Hoos family adopted Themis as its principal organization, although some family members continued operating smaller Toetanchamon services in the Netherlands. White became Themis's identifying colour when the organization was established.[2][1][4]
In 1999, a bombing destroyed the Themis office in Almere. A former employee later alleged that Hoos had ordered the attack. Plans to rebuild the office and establish an intake and housing facility for former prisoners were repeatedly blocked, including a proposed relocation to the De Vaart industrial area in Almere.[2]
Dutch operations
Themis maintained a foundation office in Rotterdam, which Erik Paap began managing in 2004. Paap also served on the foundation's board while it represented prisoners and former prisoners. He left Themis in 2013 and returned to Vriendendam.[5]
The organization also employed Hoos family members for debt collection. Martin Hoos worked as a bodyguard for Themis and collected debts alongside his brother, Angelo Hoos. Following his release from prison on 18 September 2007, Martin returned to the organization and resumed debt collection.[6][7]
Around 2014, a Themis office relocated to Vriendendam. Martin and Angelo moved there in 2016 and continued working for the organization.[8]
British department
Richard Hoos accepted the Themis organization on 2 April 1997 and began arranging its British contacts from Bristol. He opened an office in St Philip's Marsh on 5 May 1997, moving it to larger premises near Temple Meads on 18 February 2001. On 1 October 2004, Richard became head of the British department, which collected debts and provided private security services for British clients.[3]
On 23 November 2007, an explosion damaged the parish council office in Bitton, South Gloucestershire. The council had recently rejected a security contract proposed through an intermediary connected to Hoos. Police questioned Richard on 5 December after a van belonging to his department was reported near the building before the explosion.[3]
From 17 June 2009, the British department worked for Charlie Churchill, a drug trafficker operating in the United Kingdom. Themis collected debts owed to Churchill's organization and provided protection during transport. Richard's employees also pressured distributors who owed Churchill money. Their business relationship continued until 2014.[9]
On 18 September 2015, Richard and three associates attacked Graham Telfer, the owner of Telfer Marine Logistics, at a storage yard in Avonmouth. Telfer had failed to repay debts from a transport-protection arrangement managed by the British Themis department. Richard was convicted of attempted murder in May 2016 and remained imprisoned until 20 November 2020. After his release, he returned to the department in an advisory role.[10]
Richard retired on 31 August 2024. His son, Calum Hoos, succeeded him as head of the British department on 1 September.[11]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Debt collection and security operations". Hoos family. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Themis". Eef Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Themis". Richard Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Colors". Hoos family. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Career". Erik Paap. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Career". Martin Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Bank robbery and imprisonment". Martin Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Personal life". Martin Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Tanoan involvement". Charlie Churchill. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Imprisonment". Richard Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Personal life". Richard Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.