Sovereign citizens arrested in June were planning terror attack, prosecutor says

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) suspects that the eight men arrested in June in an investigation into sovereign citizens intended to carry out a terrorist attack on government institutions or officials around the NATO summit in The Hague. “The aim was to violently resist the current system and to disrupt or destroy existing structures,” authorities said.

Five men are on trial for allegedly forming a criminal network that planned to commit terrorist acts between March 1, 2022, and June 11, 2025, in the Leeuwarden court. Three others are not in custody but remain suspects.

According to the prosecutor, the men spoke about committing arson, attacks, and making bombs. The information was heard on Wednesday at the start of the first preliminary hearing in the criminal case named Barracuda. The investigation into the group began after the police received an anonymous letter in July 2024 concerning one of the suspects.

“Today’s case is not just about adhering to sovereign citizen beliefs,” the prosecutor said at the start of the hearing. “But when convictions lead to committing criminal acts or inciting others to do so, it is the duty of the police and justice system to take action. The Public Prosecution Service believes that the suspects on trial today belong to a small extremist group willing to use deadly violence.”

According to the OM, this is evident from intelligence reports by the AIVD, secretly recorded conversations, and the items found in the suspects’ possession.

During the trial, a wiretapped phone conversation was presented in which three suspects discussed plans for a car bomb at the home of former CDA leader Sybrand van Haersma Buma, according to NOS. They referred to this as “the real IRA tactic” and mentioned using fertilizer as explosive material.

Authorities found weapons and ammunition during raids in Friesland and other locations, as well as potential explosives and materials for producing the poison ricin. In addition, documents were found on building a secret organization, manuals on explosives, and writings on sovereign ideology that call for arming and violence against the government. “In the opinion of the Public Prosecution Service, these documents and items can hardly be seen as anything other than means, knowledge, and skills obtained and acquired to commit a terrorist offense.”

Self-proclaimed sovereign citizens form a subgroup within anti-institutional extremism. They view the Dutch government as illegitimate and believe they are not bound by laws or regulations. Some members of this group are willing to use violence to achieve their goals.

One of the suspects, 62-year-old Arno van K. denied the accusations in tears during the hearing. During a recorded conversation in the car with two co-suspects after a truckers’ festival, Van K. allegedly discussed placing a bomb at the CJIB or at the home of Haersma Buma, who is currently Leeuwarden's mayor. One of the conversation partners reportedly also suggested “shooting a bullet through the window.”

Van K. said his statements were “a bit stupid” and mainly “a piece of frustration about the gathering with truckers and farmers, with lots of beer, cheese, and sausage.” He also denies being a supporter of sovereign citizen ideology.

At his home, police found, among other things, walkie-talkies, a balaclava, and a bulletproof vest. “Finding a bulletproof vest at a lawyer’s home should not be a reason for suspicion, but a reason for concern,” said his attorney.

Van K. has been in custody in Vught prison since his arrest in June. According to him, he received hundreds of letters and cards in support, and protests were held outside calling for his release. Ahead of the hearing, dozens of supporters also gathered at the courthouse demanding Van K.’s release. He has now been permanently suspended as a lawyer.