Prosecutors revealed on Wednesday that a 64-year-old individual associated with the Dutch government’s counterterrorism task force, working at the office of the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), was apprehended last week. Simultaneously, a 35-year-old former NCTV employee, who had recently transitioned to the national police force, was also arrested on suspicion of involvement in the alleged leaks of state secrets.
While the specifics of the leaked information and the recipients remain undisclosed, the prosecution spokesperson clarified that no formal charges had been filed against the two suspects and they had not yet entered a plea.
Justice Minister Dilan Yesilgoz pledged to launch an independent investigation alongside the ongoing criminal inquiries. She emphasized that both the NCTV and the police had implemented additional security measures in light of the circumstances.
According to Brechtje van de Moosdijk, a spokesman for the National Prosecutor’s Office, a judge has ordered the detained people from Rotterdam and Gouda to stay in detention for 14 days as of October 31 even though their names have not been disclosed.
The NCTV is essential to protecting national security because it was created to prevent terrorist acts, protect against cybersecurity threats, and deter foreign interference.
