Dutch police have detained seven men suspected of plotting a large terrorist attack using hand grenades, automatic weapons and explosive belts.
Authorities raided four locations across the Netherlands following six months of investigations. Police decided to make their move after a tip off from the Dutch intelligence service, the BBC reported.
Three of the seven detainees have previously been convicted for trying to travel abroad and join foreign militant groups. The lead suspect, a 34-year-old Iraqi man, was convicted of trying to join ISIS in 2017. The ages of those arrested ranged from 21 to 34.
“They were seeking AK-47 assault rifles, grenades, explosive belts and raw materials with which to make other bombs,” explained Dutch prosecutors in a statement. Those arrested will be brought before a judge in the port city of Rotterdam on Friday.
The prosecutors said the suspects were thought to have been “at a very advanced stage of preparation for a major terrorist attack in the Netherlands.” It added that one of those arrested had wanted to kill “many victims.”
The raids took place in the cities of Arnhem and Weert. Investigators said they are “convinced that a terrorist attack was prevented” thanks to the operation. The arrests were made by special anti-terror police with helicopter support, AFP said.
The suspects were from Arnhem, Rotterdam and villages surrounding the two cities. One of the Arnhem men “wanted to commit an attack with a group at a major event in the Netherlands and kill many victims,” said the prosecutor’s office, citing information provided by the intelligence service.
Officials have not yet identified the proposed target of the attack, which would have included a separate car bomb.