Dutch police arrest Turkish-origin man for plotting attack on PM Rutte

The Dutch authorities have announced that they have arrested a Turkish-origin man for plotting an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Mark Rutte and other government officials. According to the indictment, the man talked about “storming the parliament,” “letting that damn gang bleed” and “shooting Rutte when he goes outside on his bicycle” in his messages on public Telegram groups.

Wednesday October 13 2021 09:06 pm

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is seen in this file photo.

Duvar English

A man of Turkish origin has been arrested in the Netherlands on the grounds of plotting an assassination attempt on Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and government officials, BBC's Turkish service reported on Oct. 13, citing the Dutch media outlets.

According to the indictment, the 22-year-old man known as Yavuz O. posted inciting messages in various Telegram groups, also asking where he could find weapons and shooters.

According to the indictment, the man talked about “storming the parliament,” “letting that damn gang bleed” and “shooting Rutte when he goes outside on his bicycle.”

Upon a Telegram user's remarks of “The Netherlands is really screwed up because of them [politicians]," Yavuz O. wrote: “Absolutely. And I will change this. A majority of the Dutch hate Rutte. Would you want to shoot all of them? And just from a car. Open the window, take out the gun outside and fire.”

In another Telegram message, Yavuz O. said that he was “looking for people who will undertake attacks.” “I am looking for people who are serious about doing something, not just any fighter. I am not looking for protestors. I am looking for revolutionists. Shooters, weapons, violence. Everything is free,” he said in his message.

The prosecutor's office said that a court hearing is scheduled for next week with regards to the case in The Hague. Yavuz O. is facing charges of threats, incitement with terrorist intent and gathering intelligence in preparation for an assassination attempt.

Last month, Rutte had received heavy security due to a threat of attack and kidnapping. The prosecutor's office said that those measures were not related to the case of Yavuz O., as they were related to threats coming from a cocaine mafia.

Topics Turkey Netherlands Dutch government Holland Mark Rutte