News of: Wednesday, June 21 2006,

Amsterdam closes 20% of brothels

The city of Amsterdam has announced that 37 of the approximately 170 brothels will be shut down.

The city has decided this on the grounds of suspicions that the owners are involved in criminal activities. A new law makes it possible to not only refuse a licence to new businesses, but also to revoke existing licences. The brothels in question will get some time to prove they do not break any laws.

The campaign of the city is directed in particular against the Red Light District, which the city wants to screen very well, in order to separate the good businesses from bad ones.

A spokesperson said that after the prostitution business, hotels, restaurants, cafes and sex theaters will be investigated.