The Dutch National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) on Tuesday said that the threat of terrorist attacks has increased throughout Europe including the Netherlands over the past months.
In the latest threat assessment, the counter-terrorism department said it sees “increasing signs” that jihadist organizations are preparing terrorist attacks in Europe, including the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is seen as a potential target by Jihadists in the recent past because of destroying a piece of the Quran by a Dutch right-wing extremist in a protest, which placed the country on the radar of jihadist groups, the organization says.
The Dutch right-wing extremist, Edwin Wagensveld was in the news in recent months for tearing up the Quran, the holy book for Muslims. His action put the Netherlands on the radar of jihadists and fundamentalists in Afghanistan, Syria and Turkey, according to the NCTV.
According to the Netherlands Times, the threats are mostly aimed at individuals and institutions related to the Netherlands in countries where terrorist cells affiliated with ISIS are active.
The website adds in February alone, several plans were thwarted, indicating the possibility of attacking certain places, including the Dutch consulate in Istanbul.
As per the findings of the Dutch security department, the number of individuals affiliated with extremist organizations is estimated to be roughly 500.
