Just hour after anti-Islam Dutch politician Geert Wilders was convicted of insulting and inciting discrimination against Maroccans, moments ago the local police announced they have arrested a man in Rotterdam, suspected of planning a terrorist attack, according to local media reports. Law enforcement found a Kalashnikov assault rifle and an Islamic State flag while raiding the man’s house, RT adds.
Terror suspect arrested in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Had a Kalashnikov at home: suspected of preparing terror act - Prosecution Service
— Johann de Graaf (@JCdeGraaf) December 9, 2016
According to various Dutch media outlets, the suspect in question was arrested back on Wednesday, when an anti-terrorist unit raided his house and found a Kalashnikov assault rifle with two full magazines.
Terreurverdachte met kalasjnikov en volle magazijnen opgepakt in Rotterdam https://t.co/hh49jTxide pic.twitter.com/nUoHrzhc94
— RTL Nieuws (@RTLnieuws) December 9, 2016
An ISIS flag was also found in the 30-year-old man’s apartment. Special forces also seized four boxes containing explosive materials, the suspect’s mobile phone, and some 1,600 euro.
According to the local Limburger media outlet, police initially received a tip off from Holland’s Algemene Inlichtingen-en Veiligheidsdienst (AIVD) intelligence agency.
The arrest comes at a sensitive time for the country, with Wilders rising in the polls, and is expected by many to become the latest anti-establishment politician to rise to the top, leading to further troubles for the European project.