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.