TikTok user who pledged to behead Dutch politicians held by police in The Hague
A 25-year-old man from Alphen aan den Rijn was arrested on Wednesday after threatening in a TikTok livestream to go to the Tweede Kamer with an axe, saying that “heads [are] going to roll.” The video, widely shared on social media in recent days, prompted an investigation by the Police Unit for Threatened Politicians in The Hague, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) reports.
When asked during the livestream who he would “start with,” the suspect replied, “maybe with Geertje,” apparently referring to far-right politician Geert Wilders. The Public Prosecution Service classified the video as a criminal threat directed at Tweede Kamer members, specifically Wilders.
Wilders said this threat was “disgusting,” as the allegation is “against someone who threatened to go to the Tweede Kamer to use an axe to make heads roll, and pondered whether to start with me.” He expressed thanks to the OM and the investigative team responsible for tackling threats lobbed at politicians.
Authorities identified the suspect shortly after the clip spread online and held him for questioning. He was apprehended in connection with an investigation by a specialized police division based in The Hague that handles threats against politicians. The suspect was due to be released, pending the decision from the prosecutor about whether he will face criminal charges.
According to official figures, the Public Prosecution Service received 363 reports of threats against politicians in 2024. In 235 of those cases, the threats were deemed criminal offenses. Statistics for 2025 have not yet been released.
In recent years, a range of organizations, former policymakers, and even King Willem-Alexander have warned about residents becoming more harsh towards each other, citing social division and an increasing sense of being let down by politicians and institutions. Earlier this week, The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) issued results of survey suggesting the public is still fed up with national politics, as has been the case for several years.
Some 59 percent of Dutch citizens now feel the country is headed in the wrong direction, and 60 percent would give the collection of those in the national government a failing grade. A majority feel powerless and frustrated with the government, with one respondent calling those in the Cabinet a “bunch of bunglers” who have not taken responsibility for the problems they promised to solve.
Back in April 2023, months before the previous general election, some 62 percent thought the Netherlands was headed down the wrong road, with about half of them referring specifically to national politics. Economic concerns have remained since a period of high inflation started after Russia intensified its invasion of Ukraine.
Young adults in the Netherlands have been especially frustrated. A 2024 survey found that almost all Dutch people from 16 to 34 years of age have experienced mental health issues, with many citing uncertainty, fear of failure, and a general sense of dread. This spiked during the coronavirus pandemic, and has not abated as young people remain focused on the ongoing housing crisis, cost of living issues, climate change, and global conflicts.
Police emphasized that politicians must be able to perform their duties freely and without fear. “That is the foundation for the proper functioning of our democracy,” a police statement said.
