Dutch courts extend detention for 12 of 16 suspects accused of spreading IS propaganda

Most suspects arrested across the Netherlands this week for allegedly spreading extremist propaganda linked to the Islamic State (IS) group remain in custody after judges extended their pretrial detention, while several others were released under conditions, authorities said. The investigation spans multiple cities, including Amsterdam and The Hague, and involves both adults and minors.

In total, 16 suspects have been arrested, 15 of them this week. Thirteen are Syrian nationals. Prosecutors say the suspects used posts on TikTok to encourage others to commit terrorist crimes on behalf of Islamic State.

A 23-year-old man arrested in Amsterdam will remain in custody for an additional two weeks. Judges issued the same ruling for a 19-year-old man from Tholen; a 22-year-old man from Schagen; and a 19-year-old man from Heemskerk, both in Noord-Holland. Pretrial detention was also extended for a 27-year-old man from Numansdorp and a 22-year-old man from Rotterdam. The detention of a minor from Enschede had already been extended Thursday.

The lead suspect is a 20-year-old man from Hoorn, who has been held since Jan. 20. A court panel previously extended his pretrial detention by 90 days.

Several suspects have been released. A 53-year-old man from the municipality of Eemsdelta and a minor from the The Hague region are now free, although the minor remains a suspect. Two other minors from Limburg were sent home Thursday afternoon under conditions. Pretrial detention for a suspect from Lelystad was also suspended.

In The Hague, three suspects were brought before a judge: two 24-year-old men from The Hague and a 24-year-old woman from Leiderdorp. A judge ordered their pretrial detention extended by 14 days.