Armed police raid café in The Hague tied to ongoing investigation and past explosions
A major police raid took place Friday night at café Kleurrijke Vrienden in the Schilderwijk neighborhood of The Hague. The operation, which began shortly after 8 p.m., continued late into the evening. Police have not disclosed the specific goal of the action but confirmed it is part of a long-running investigation, as reported by Omroep West.
The café, located at the corner of Van Ostadestraat and Vaillantlaan, was completely sealed off by dozens of officers. The area was closed with black barricades, and heavily equipped officers—some masked and wearing bulletproof vests—secured the perimeter.
The café has been linked to multiple previous police actions. In 2013, a large-scale raid at the same location led to the arrest of seven individuals and the discovery of a firearm.
Photos from the scene show patrons inside the café and on its terrace being ordered to remain seated with their hands raised. A police spokesperson could not confirm whether the individuals were targets of the investigation or simply present during the raid.
In the fall of 2023, Kleurrijke Vrienden was targeted in three separate attacks. Two of those involved explosives being detonated, while in a third incident, a window was smashed with a claw hammer.
Police have not provided additional details on Friday’s raid, including whether any arrests were made. The investigation is ongoing.
