Two men arrested for Rotterdam synagogue blast; Teen detained over Heemstede plot

Authorities have detained three men suspected of being involved in the explosion at a Rotterdam synagogue and in preparing an attack on a synagogue in Heemstede. The Public Prosecution Service confirmed the arrests but gave no information on the specific roles of the suspects.

Authorities arrested a 20-year-old man in Tilburg and a 23-year-old man in Amsterdam on suspicion of involvement in the March 13 attack in Rotterdam. Additionally, an 18-year-old man was detained in Amsterdam for allegedly preparing an attack in Heemstede on March 20.

The suspects were taken into custody on Thursday and brought before the examining judge on Friday. They will be held for 14 days, during which time their only allowed contact is with their attorney.

Five individuals were previously arrested for the Rotterdam attack. They are suspected of detonating an explosion and attempting to set fire to the synagogue at A.B.N. Davidsplein, all with terrorist motives.

The group consists of three 19-year-olds, an 18-year-old, and a 17-year-old. In Heemstede, authorities arrested two teenagers from Amsterdam, aged 14 and 17, on Adriaan Pauwlaan. Near the synagogue, which also hosts the Chabad Hebrew School, police discovered a significant amount of powerful fireworks.

The explosion at the synagogue on A.B.N. Davidsplein happened around 3:40 a.m. Soon after, authorities detained four suspects when their car, flagged for erratic driving, was stopped near another synagogue on Mozartlaan. A jerrycan was discovered in the vehicle, leading to the arrest of all four.

On March 17, Justice Minister David van Weel stated that all evidence points to the suspects in the Rotterdam synagogue attack having been recruited, and that authorities are actively investigating potential external involvement, including by a foreign party.

A previously unknown group, identifying itself as Harakat Ashab al‑Yamin al‑Islamia (HAYI), has claimed responsibility on social media for several attacks in Europe, including the March 13 explosion at a Rotterdam synagogue and a March 14 attack on a Jewish school in Amsterdam.

Security agencies and analysts are examining these claims but have yet to verify them and caution that the group might be operating under a pseudonym or have a vague organizational structure.

Dutch authorities are examining whether Iran played a role in guiding the group, as the strategy of recruiting local criminals or at‑risk youth for attacks on Jewish sites mirrors a wider pattern of suspected Iranian meddling in Europe.

Currently, ten individuals are being held in connection with the wide-ranging investigation into antisemitism and terrorist activities.