Seven arrested as Dutch thwart ‘terror attack’

SEVEN men have been arrested in Holland on suspicion of plotting a major terror attack.

Armed police swooped on the men, aged 21 to 34, in Arnhem, south of Amsterdam, and Weert, close to the borders with Germany and Belgium.

The alleged ringleader, a 34-yearold man of Iraqi heritage, is suspected of wanting to attack a large event and cause multiple casualties.

The men allegedly wanted to use bomb vests and assault rifles – and planned to detonate a car bomb at another location, said prosecutors.

Officers inspected large containers outside a flat and removed evidence from the property. Three of the men were previously convicted of attempting to travel overseas to join extremist networks.

Justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus said: ‘A terrorist cell that was plotting an attack has been taken down.’ Sources said the arrests followed an investigation which lasted months.

The men were remanded in custody by a judge yesterday.