Dutch Justice Minister: A terrorist cell has been dismantled
Dutch judicial authorities announced that the country's police have dismantled a terrorist cell. Seven people have been arrested in connection with the cell. The individuals were planning to attack a flag-raising ceremony with machine guns and bombs.
On Thursday evening, September 27, the Rotterdam prosecutor's office announced that Dutch counter-terrorism police had arrested seven people in a raid on charges of planning a terrorist attack.
400 officers equipped with various weapons and helicopters participated in this operation.
Hours later, Dutch Justice Minister Ferdinand Grappenhaus also confirmed the news, saying: "A terrorist cell has been destroyed."
According to Dutch judicial authorities, the arrested members of this "terrorist cell" planned to attack a crowded event with suicide belts and Kalashnikovs. A car bomb was also prepared for this purpose.
Under the supervision of security forces
Those arrested live in the two regions of Arnhem, located in the east of the Netherlands, and Wirth, in the southeast of the country.
According to the Dutch Ministry of Justice, the country's security forces have been monitoring the activities of those arrested since April of this year.
The main figure in this group is a 34-year-old Iraqi who was arrested and convicted in 2017 on charges of trying to join ISIS in Iraq.
Source: DW
