The police made eight arrests on Wednesday in an investigation into people who are turning away from the government and would be prepared to use violence, so-called sovereigns. The police speak of a criminal network of suspects.
Search actions have taken place in several places, especially in the Frisian municipalities of Leeuwarden, Waadhoeke, Súdwest-Fryslân and Heerenveen. In addition, the police searched buildings in the municipalities of Vijfheerenlanden, Ommen, Gilze and Rijen and Den Bosch.
During the raids, weapons and ammunition were found, as well as narcotics, possible explosives and possibly dangerous substances. In addition to weapons and ammunition, the police took data carriers for investigation.
The suspects arrested in Friesland are two men aged 66 and 62 from the municipality of Leeuwarden, a 61-year-old man from the municipality of Waadhoeke and a 39-year-old man from the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân.
In the Overijssel municipality of Ommen, a forty-year-old woman was arrested. In North Brabant, a 74-year-old man from the municipality of Gilze and Rijen and a 55-year-old man from the municipality of Den Bosch were arrested. In Waddinxveen (South Holland) it concerns a 47-year-old man.
The suspects are in full restrictions, which means that they are only allowed to have contact with their lawyer. Because they turn away from the government, the police state that they adhere to the so-called anti-institutional ideas.