Court could release suspected Nieuwegein right-wing terrorist with an ankle monitor

The Rotterdam court is considering releasing a suspected right-wing extremist terrorist to await his trial at home with an ankle monitor, RTV Utrecht reports. Frederick van der W., a 25-year-old from Nieuwegein, was arrested in April on suspicion of preparing terrorist crimes.

During the first public hearing against the terrorism suspect, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) argued for keeping Van der W. in pre-trial detention. The police launched the investigation against Van der W. after a tip from the intelligence service AIVD. During a house search, the police found phones, disabled weapons, and photos of the suspect with known right-wing extremists.

The OM suspects Van der W. of preparing to commit terrorist attacks and considers that severe enough to keep him in custody. But the court wants to investigate the possibilities of releasing him with an ankle monitor. “We see the importance of letting you get your life back on track,” the judge said.

The man’s lawyer argued that Van der W. only studied right-wing extremism, but does not actually adhere to the ideology. And “that does not mean that he planned a terrorist attack,” the lawyer said. Van der W. is detained in the terrorist department, and that is causing him anxiety and panic attacks, the lawyer said.

“I have a huge sleep deficit,” the suspect said at the hearing. “My head is working at 100 percent all the time.” He said he does not understand the charges against him. “My life consisted of helping my mother, helping in the church community, and preparing for my studies.”

The court will decide on Van der W.’s custody within a month. The next pre-trial hearing is scheduled for September 16.