FC: Dutch journalist reportedly arrested after asking biochem questions

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

*********

From: Rembert Oldenboom <rembert () euronet nl>
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2001 15:58:34 GMT
Subject: Reporter arrested in Netherlands
To: declan () well com

Hi Declan,

Yesterday after business hours a Dutch reporter asked some questions at
the BVD, the Dutch counterpart of the CIA. This reporter was busy making
a television program regarding biological warfare which will be
broadcasted this evening during the program 'Netwerk'.

At 4:00 AM last night five highly armed persons got to her house and
arrested her. Appearantly her questions raised some suspicoun and
possibly because these questions got asked after business hours, they
raised even more suspicioun.

This morning her boyfriend alarmed everyone and the Network cast rang the
head of the BVD: he didn't know about this arrest at that moment. A
couple of hours later she was freed again.

Greetz,

Rembert.

*********

From: Rembert Oldenboom <rembert () euronet nl>
Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2001 11:49:01 GMT
Message-ID: <20010927.11490100@blieb.local>
Subject: Re: Reporter arrested in Netherlands
To: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>

>From the Volkskrant (www.volkskrant.nl) website, roughly translated into
English:

The reporter arrested had called the BVD almost at the same time as the
BVD received an anonymous phonecall regarding a bomb which should explode
somewhere (the letter appeared to be false as are all letters until now).
The BVD has admitted they had made a mistake.
Van den Broek had called the BVD regarding their report on chemical and
biological warfare (which got broadcasted yesterday).  At 10 PM she got
called on her mobile phone: someone asked if she was named Van den Broek.
On her confirmation the connection got terminated. Five hours later the
squad appeared at her door, having a battering ram ready. The squad
listened to her story but still decided they had to arrest her. The next
morning at 10 AM she got asked if she wanted to take a shower - at that
moment she still didn't know why she was arrested.  The editor-in-chief
of the tv-program called with the police and justice but they didn't know
about her arrest. A lawyer managed to trace her afterwards and managed to
get her free. The police excused themselves, gave her flowers and brought
her home. The reporter didn't want to talk about the incident nor did the
police or justice: they latter two referred to the BVD. They also excused
themselves and also gave Van den Broek flowers.


Another story:

This morning the Netherlands woke up and learned four major tunnels were
closed down resulting in huge traffic jams. Cause was an anonymous but
very detailed letter sent to the press explained cars would explode in
those tunnels at 8 AM. Those cars were explicity described including
color, type and place where they got stolen. The impact of the explosions
should be that strong the tunnels would collapse. The writer didn't
disagree with the actions against the 'pernicious western world' but felt
this action would take too many lives. He said he wanted to remain
anonymous as otherwise he and his family would get hurt. This warning was
taken very seriously, the Dutch army, heavily armed, investigated every
car in the traffic jam on a very aggressive and intimidating way. But
nothing got found and, as far as is known now, no one is arrested. At
this moment, the tunnels are open for traffic again.

More information can be found on the Volkskrant website at
www.volkskrant.nl, but that site is in Dutch.



Finally, regarding the mandatory ID. I'm now sure it's not mandatory
here. But, as a result of the situation in the US, people are discussing
this again. Two-third of the people here agree to have an mandatory ID.
But criticists feel it will only give people a fake sense of security: a
well-skilled terrorist will definately be able to get himself a false ID.
The main reason not to have the mandatory ID is indeed sentimental
historical as the links to the mandatory ID as imposed by the Nazis
during WW II are still too strong. But it seems this is weakening now.


Greetz,

Rembert

And yes, you're free to do with this information whatever you like :-)




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