Editing Themis

{{Short description|Dutch prisoner-support and debt-collection organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Themis
| founded = 1997
| founder = [[Eef Hoos]]
| type = Foundation
| predecessor = [[Toetanchamon]]
| 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 replaced [[Toetanchamon]] as the principal organization of the [[Hoos family]] and continued its debt-collection and private-security work. Themis operates in the [[Netherlands]] and established a British department in 1997, which [[Richard Hoos]] led from 2004 until 2024.<ref name="family-collection"/><ref name="richard-themis"/>

== History ==
Eef Hoos founded Themis in 1997, two years after his release from prison. The foundation represented prisoners and former prisoners, and published a magazine called ''The mis-Take'' for distribution in prisons.<ref name="eef-themis"/> The Hoos family adopted Themis as its principal organization, although smaller Toetanchamon services continued operating in the Netherlands.<ref name="family-collection"/> White became Themis's identifying colour when it was established, replacing the black associated with Toetanchamon.<ref name="family-colors"/>

In 1999, a bombing destroyed the Themis office in [[Almere]]. A former employee later alleged that Eef Hoos had ordered the attack. Plans to rebuild the office and establish an intake and housing facility for former prisoners were repeatedly blocked. The foundation also attempted to relocate to the De Vaart industrial area in Almere, but that plan was unsuccessful.<ref name="eef-themis"/>

== Dutch operations ==
[[Eva Hoos]] opened a Toetanchamon debt-collection office in [[Rotterdam]] in 1990. When Themis was founded in 1997, she transferred the office and its outstanding accounts to the new organization. She continued collecting debts from transport contractors and industrial businesses, using intimidation and violence against debtors who refused payment.<ref name="eva-career"/>

In 2004, [[Erik Paap]] became head of the Rotterdam Themis office and joined the foundation's board. Eva continued directing debt collection under his management. The two disagreed after she assaulted a transport-company debtor. Eef Hoos intervened and allowed her to retain control of collection visits.<ref name="erik-career"/><ref name="eva-career"/>

After Erik left Themis in 2013, Eef appointed Eva head of the Rotterdam office. She took over its administration while continuing to supervise debt collection. Eva gradually reduced her collection visits after turning 70 in 2019 but remained head of the office in 2026.<ref name="eva-career"/>

Themis also employed [[Martin Hoos]] and [[Angelo Hoos]] as debt collectors. The brothers had previously worked for Toetanchamon, where they used intimidation and physical violence to recover unpaid debts. Martin also served as a bodyguard for Themis. Following his release from prison on 18 September 2007, he returned to debt collection alongside Angelo.<ref name="martin-career"/><ref name="martin-imprisonment"/>

Around 2014, a Themis office relocated to [[Vriendendam]]. Martin and Angelo moved there in 2016 and continued working for the organization.<ref name="martin-personal"/>

== British department ==
[[Richard Hoos]] accepted the establishment of Themis on 2 April 1997 and began arranging its British business contacts from [[Bristol]]. He opened an office in St Philip's Marsh on 5 May 1997. On 18 February 2001, he moved the office to larger premises near Temple Meads. Richard became head of the British department on 1 October 2004, overseeing debt collection and private-security contracts.<ref name="richard-themis"/>

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 Richard. Police questioned him on 5 December after a van belonging to his department was reported near the building before the explosion.<ref name="richard-themis"/>

From 17 June 2009, the British department worked for [[Charlie Churchill]], a drug trafficker operating in the United Kingdom. Themis collected debts for Churchill's organization and provided protection during transport. Richard's employees also pressured distributors who owed Churchill money. Their business relationship continued until 2014.<ref name="churchill-tanoan"/>

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 department. Richard was arrested on 21 September and convicted of attempted murder, robbery and coercive abuse at Bristol Crown Court on 11 May 2016. He remained imprisoned until 20 November 2020, after which he returned to the department in an advisory role.<ref name="richard-imprisonment"/>

Richard retired on 31 August 2024. His son, [[Calum Hoos]], succeeded him as head of the British department on 1 September.<ref name="richard-personal"/>

== See also ==
* [[Toetanchamon]]
* [[Hoos family]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="family-collection">"[[Hoos family#Debt collection and security operations|Debt collection and security operations]]". ''Hoos family''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="eef-themis">"[[Eef Hoos#Themis|Themis]]". ''Eef Hoos''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="family-colors">"[[Hoos family#Colors|Colors]]". ''Hoos family''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="eva-career">"[[Eva Hoos#Criminal career|Criminal career]]". ''Eva Hoos''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="erik-career">"[[Erik Paap#Career|Career]]". ''Erik Paap''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="martin-career">"[[Martin Hoos#Career|Career]]". ''Martin Hoos''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="martin-imprisonment">"[[Martin Hoos#Bank robbery and imprisonment|Bank robbery and imprisonment]]". ''Martin Hoos''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="martin-personal">"[[Martin Hoos#Personal life|Personal life]]". ''Martin Hoos''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="richard-themis">"[[Richard Hoos#Themis|Themis]]". ''Richard Hoos''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="churchill-tanoan">"[[Charlie Churchill#Tanoan involvement|Tanoan involvement]]". ''Charlie Churchill''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="richard-imprisonment">"[[Richard Hoos#Imprisonment|Imprisonment]]". ''Richard Hoos''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="richard-personal">"[[Richard Hoos#Personal life|Personal life]]". ''Richard Hoos''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
}}

[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Foundations]]
[[Category:Debt collection agencies]]
[[Category:Hoos family]]
[[Category:Vriend Era]]