Dutch police in terror raids

POLICE in the Netherlands placed a protective cordon around the main complex of government offices and parliament in The Hague yesterday and stormed into several homes elsewhere, detaining at least seven suspects in an operation meant to disrupt an alleged plot to attack politicians and public buildings.

Among those reportedly arrested during the sweep in three cities was a young Dutch-Moroccan who had been acquitted of terrorist- related charges earlier this year. The raids, staged just weeks before the first anniversary of the Islamist killing of a Dutch film-maker, underscored what officials believe to be an ongoing threat by cells of extremists targeting prominent Dutch personalities.

Officials said the suspects, aged 18 to 30, were detained in The Hague, Amsterdam and Almere. They will appear before an investigating judge on Monday.

Around two dozen officers in riot gear closed entrances leading to both houses of parliament and the government’s information service in The Hague. The weekly cabinet meeting, however, went ahead as scheduled during the raids.

Police declined to give details about the raids, but there were reports of gunfire in the streets.