Nationalist student association suspends member arrested for terrorism
The Groot-Nederlandse Studentenvereniging (Greater Dutch Student Association, GNSV), a nationalist student association in Nijmegen, expressed shock after one of its members was arrested on Thursday in Badhoevedorp on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack. The 24-year-old man is also suspected of illegal weapons possession and producing weapons and ammunition.
The GNSV confirmed the suspect, who does not hold an active board position, has been suspended pending legal proceedings. “We are shocked by the news that a member has been arrested on suspicion of preparing a serious violent offense,” the association said on Telegram.
The GNSV describes itself as a conservative-nationalist organization. However, previous reporting by Omroep Gelderland showed that the association maintains close contacts with various far-right extremist groups, including De Geuzenbond.
The Geuzenbond, active in the Netherlands and Belgium, recruits young people and allegedly seeks to normalize extremist right-wing ideology, the OM said.
The GNSV association has faced controversy in the past. Two years ago, a brawl broke out at the introduction fair of Radboud University in Nijmegen between GNSV members and demonstrators opposed to the group recruiting new students. Last year, the GNSV’s booth at the fair was guarded by private security.
Daan Meershoek, chair of the Nijmegen chapter of the GNSV, said that violence has no place in the democratic debate the association participates in.
The suspect, a 24-year-old man, was arrested Thursday in Badhoevedorp, a village between Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport. A search of his registered home uncovered multiple prohibited firearms and ammunition, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) said. Authorities say he admitted membership in several far-right and white nationalist organizations, including the Geuzenbond.
The investigation began after a report from the Dutch civilian intelligence service, AIVD. The raid on the Boerdonk property involved police using trained dogs and a camera-equipped four-legged drone, with particular attention given to a BMW SUV parked at the site.
A Radboud University spokesperson told Omroep Gelderland over the weekend it was unclear whether the GNSV member’s arrest would impact the association’s participation in Nijmegen’s introduction week, set to start next week.
