Aruba blocks NBC interview

NBC News’ scoop in the Natalee Holloway case has gotten the network into a legal scuffle in Aruba.

NBC’s Michelle Kosinski scored an exclusive jailhouse interview with Joran van der Sloot, suspected of involvement in the May 30 disappearance of Alabama teenager Holloway. Van der Sloot was detained June 9 but has not been charged.

The interview angered Van der Sloot’s attorneys, who went to court to block the telecast late Wednesday. An Aruban judge later ordered NBC not to air it.

Thursday’s “Today” showed videotape of Kosinski touring the prison grounds with warden Fred Maduro, but no tape of Van der Sloot was shown. In his interview with Kosinski, Maduro said that the suspect has “incorporated himself into the prison” but described him as a “very angry” person.

“We respected the court’s order and therefore have not broadcast the videotape of Joran van der Sloot from inside the prison at this time,” an NBC spokeswoman said. “However, as the judge affirmed last night, we did, in fact, have permission to be inside the prison.... While we respect the court’s decision, we are considering our next course of legal action.”

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Scott Collins