Category / The Netherlands

SCENE OF UTRECHT SHOOTING
by Crimson Tazvinzwa

Netherlands tram terror: Police report gunfire at several locations across Utrecht city as ‘terror’ attacker on loose after opening fire on tram passengers

SCENE OF UTRECHT SHOOTING
SCENE OF UTRECHT SHOOTING

Utrecht City on LOCK DOWN as police warn ‘stay indoors’ – AIWA! NO!

At least one person has been killed and several others wounded in a shooting on a tram in the Dutch city of Utrecht, police in the Netherlands have said.

Authorities immediately raised the terror alert for the area to the maximum level and said they are considering the possibility of a “terrorist motive” in the attack. 

Politie Utrecht ‏ Verified account @PolitieUtrecht 25m25 minutes ago The police asks you to look out for the 37 year old Gökman Tanis (born in Turkey) associated with the incident this morning at the #24oktoberplein in #Utrecht. Do not approach him but call 0800-6070.
Politie Utrecht‏Verified account @PolitieUtrecht  25m25 minutes ago
The police asks you to look out for the 37 year old Gökman Tanis (born in Turkey) associated with the incident this morning at the #
24oktoberplein in #
Utrecht. Do not approach him but call 0800-6070.

Dutch military police went on extra alert at Dutch airports and at key buildings in the country as the police launched a manhunt for the gunman.

Heavily armed police officers flooded the October 21st square, a tram station outside the city centre where the shooting took place, and later erected a white tent over an area where a body appeared to be lying next to the tram.

Several people have been injured following a shooting in Utrecht (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Several people have been injured following a shooting in Utrecht (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte called the situation “very worrying” and the country’s counterterror coordinator said a crisis team was meeting to discuss the situation. 

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by Crimson Tazvinzwa

Dutch judge extends custody of attack plot suspects

A Dutch judge on Monday extended the detention of four men suspected of plotting a militant attack in the Netherlands, two days after they were arrested in Rotterdam, police said.

ROTTERDAM, Dec 31 |Reuters|AIWA! NO!|- A Dutch judge on Monday extended the detention of four men suspected of plotting a militant attack in the Netherlands, two days after they were arrested in Rotterdam, police said.

The men, aged 20 to 30, had “non-Western” backgrounds, police said, without going into further details.

READ RELATED: Dramatic moment Dutch police grab terror suspects from inside a white van as they ‘foil major attack with suicide vests, assault rifles and car bombs’

“They were brought before a judge who decided they should remain in custody,” the force said in a statement.

Heavily armed Dutch police arrested seven men accused of planning a major terror attack following raids in Arnhem (pictured) and Weert
Heavily armed Dutch police arrested seven men accused of planning a major terror attack following raids in Arnhem (pictured) and Weert

Heavily armed Dutch police arrested seven men accused of planning a major terror attack following raids in Arnhem (pictured) and Weert

“The investigation will continue in the coming days, with the emphasis on uncovering the nature and scale of the terrorist threat,” it added.

There was no immediate comment from any lawyer representing the men.

Officers said they seized laptops and other devices during the raids, but no explosives or bomb-making equipment were found.

As part of the same operation, German police arrested a 26-year-old Syrian man in western town of Mainz on Saturday. The arrest was based on an extradition request by Dutch authorities, German police said..

In a separate case, police on Monday said they had detained a 24-year-old suspect in Rotterdam also believed to be involved in “a terrorist crime”. (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Larry King and Andrew Heavens)