More extremist religious leaders on Netherlands counterterrorism radar

At least five religious leaders known for their extremist views were added to the Netherlands counterterrorism radar between January 2016 and March 2017, the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security Dick Schoof said to AD. The Coordinator would not say how many people are currently on the extremist religious leader list.

The list consists of foreign preachers and other forms of religious leaders who spread anti-democratic messages, or messages of hate and violence. The Netherlands can refuse Visas to the people on the list.

The Coordinator started the list after a commotion arose about several radical imams talking at congresses in the Netherlands. In 2015 a total of 23 controversial preachers were kept out of the Netherlands, according to AD. Eight of them were refused visas. For the rest, the municipalities and organizations decided to withdraw their invitations.

The list does not only include imams, but also radical preachers of other religions.