Editing Volkert van der Graaf (section)

=== Initial investigations and conspiracy theories ===
For several months Van der Graaf refused to make any statement about the murder, on the advice of his lawyers. He was represented by [[Britta Böhler|Böhler]], Koppe and Franken, with Böhler leading.

In the months following the murder, many [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]] were put forth by supporters of Fortuyn and others. Officials investigating the murder dismissed these popular rumours, declaring that no evidence had been found for the involvement of others.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}} No evidence was found to support rumors that Van der Graaf had committed the earlier murder in 1996 of Chris van de Werken, an environmental official from [[Nunspeet]], or that he attended other appearances by Fortuyn.

On 7 July 2006, the national daily newspaper ''[[De Telegraaf]]'' published an article alleging Van der Graaf's connection with the murder of Van der Werken. ''De Telegraaf'' printed extracts of a secret police report on the murder of Van der Werken on its website. Quirijn Meijnen, a Dutch-based media lawyer who represented Van der Graaf, said the accusations were grave and unfounded, and that the publication of extracts of the secret police report infringed Van der Graaf's privacy rights. ''De Telegraaf'' failed to mention that Van der Graaf was never a suspect in the murder case of Van der Werken.

After Van der Graaf's arrest, he was held in strict isolation until 1 June. He could speak only to his lawyers and police and justice officials. He was kept under constant observation by [[video camera]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

A second search of Van der Graaf's home on 24 June found a chemical mixture, [[calcium chlorate]] and sugar, hidden in 35 condoms in his garage. Nearby were flasks of [[Sulfuric acid|sulphuric acid]]. Experts said the substances could be combined to make a [[Incendiary device|fire bomb]] or [[explosive]] material. Van der Graaf later said that he had fabricated the materials around 1990–1992 for experimentation purposes and had forgotten about them. Detectives also conducted a search on Graaf's [[personal computer]] and found he had used the internet to gather information about Fortuyn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/fortuyn-murder-case-opens/a-608342|title = Fortuyn Murder Case Opens &#124; DW &#124; 12.08.2002|website = [[Deutsche Welle]]}}</ref>