Teen arrested in Amsterdam in probe into series of March explosions, synagogue attacks

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in preparing an attack planned for March 16 on Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, the Public Prosecution Service has announced.

The blast occurred at a property on Strawinskylaan. On social media, an unverified video circulated, appearing to show an explosion at the office complex, with references being made to Bank of New York Mellon, which maintains offices in the building.

The suspect, a 16-year-old boy, was arrested in Amsterdam on Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation by police and prosecutors into a series of incidents in March. These include attacks targeting synagogues in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the explosion on Strawinskylaan, and an attempted attack on a synagogue in Heemstede.

Authorities are currently examining whether the cases are connected. Investigators also note that similar videos circulated on social media following incidents at a Jewish school in Amsterdam and a synagogue in Rotterdam, as well as after the Zuidas explosion.

A 17-year-old from Uithoorn was previously arrested in connection with the explosion on Strawinskylaan. He is suspected of having caused an explosion with terrorist intent. Surveillance footage reportedly shows him arriving at the office building as a passenger on a fatbike, after which the rider of the bike left the scene.