Terrorist plot foiled in Netherlands; Suspects wanted to injure many: police

By Zack Newmark on September 27, 2018 - 20:06
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New Dutch police uniforms feature a broad yellow stripe (photo: Politie). (New Dutch police uniforms feature a broad yellow stripe (photo: Politie))

Police in the Netherlands arrested seven men allegedly involved in a ploy to commit a terrorist attack. The planning was at an "advanced" stage, police said.

The plot involved detonating bombs at a big event, then attacking the site with AK-47 gunfire. Following that, a car bomb would be detonated.

Police said the men were trying to acquire the rifles, along with smaller firearms, car bomb material, bombs and hand grenades.

Five of those arrested were armed at the time. Authorities said the arrests were made in Arnhem and Weert on Thursday afternoon. Three of those arrested are from Arnhem, two reside in Rotterdam, one person is from Huissen and another from Vlaardingen. Arraignment hearings will take place in Rotterdam on Friday.
One of the men from Arnhem is a 34-year-old previously convicted of trying to travel to a warzone connected to IS. Dutch intelligence service AIVD said it uncovered information that he wanted a group of people to carry out an attack "at a large event in the Netherlands and wanted there to be many victims."

Those arrested range in age from 21 to 34. Two were also convicted of trying to travel to IS battle sites.

Police announced the arrests later Thursday evening. 

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