Syrian arrested in Dutch port city suspected of Christmas terrorist attack plot in Europe
A Syrian man arrested two weeks ago in Vlissingen was under investigation for several crimes related to terrorism, including a possible plot to launch an attack around Christmastime, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) said on Tuesday. The 29-year-old "may have been planning to carry out a terrorist attack in Europe and is believed to be a member of Islamic State (ISIS)," prosecutors stated.
The Syrian suspect was brought before the Rotterdam District Court for an arraignment hearing on charges of preparing a terrorist offense, and participation in terrorist organization ISIS. He was taken into custody on Dec. 18 after Dutch civilian intelligence service AIVD discovered the man made "statements on social media" about wanting to pull off the attack during the holidays, the OM said.
"A specific target was not mentioned." He was arrested at his residence in the Zeeland port city the same day the AIVD learned of the man's remarks. During a raid on his home, police seized several data-carrying devices for a forensic investigation.
The arraignment concluded when a three-judge panel remanded him into pretrial detention. The man was ordered to remain in restricted custody, and will only be allowed contact with his attorney. He will remain in jail for a period of at least 30 more days while the investigation into the case continues.
The 29-year-old was arrested a day after authorities released details about the arrest of another Syrian man suspected of terrorism crimes. The 33-year-old man was seeking asylum in the Netherlands, and was arrested at a residential facility for other would-be refugees.
He was arrested in Dronten, Flevoland, on Nov. 28 after an investigation revealed that the suspect "embraces jihadist ideology, and was searching for a firearm to carry out an attack," the OM said at the time. The 33-year-old also had not stated a specific target.
Last week, police also raided a home on Gravestraat in Vlissingen, where they found several firearms, a longbow, a crossbow, cannabis, and pellet guns that may have been in the process of being converted into firearms. They also said they found components for firearms, and ammunition.
While he was being arrested at his home, a woman who arrived at the residence was also arrested. Their ages have not been released, and details about their initial hearing before an examining magistrate was not publicly released. They could face an arraignment hearing at a district court around January 5.
