Attack on ‘free press, democracy’

– Dutch police are investigating after a van deliberately slammed into the headquarters of one of the Netherlands’ top newspapers and media groups early yesterday, catching fire but not causing any injuries.

“This morning at about 4am a delivery van was driven into the facade of a publishing house in Basisweg” in Amsterdam, police said in a statement yesterday.

The building houses the head office of the tabloid, De Telegraaf,

The Hague

the country’s top-selling paper, which focuses on sports, crime and celebrity gossip.

The police said the act was believed to be intentional, but no one was hurt and the driver had fled the scene, most likely in a dark-coloured Audi car. They have launched a manhunt and are appealing for information.

The van burst into flames on impact, and fire services were swiftly called to the scene. Television images showed fire officers dousing a huge blaze which had engulfed the white van lodged in the glass-fronted facade.

Dawn revealed the area had been completely charred and reduced to twisted metal, and the Telegraaf said it believed it had been a deliberate attack. “We will not be intimidated,” said editor-in-chief Paul Jansen.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said it was a “slap in the face to the free press and Dutch democracy”. –