Security service fears leak as four suspects held

5 October 2004

AMSTERDAM — Police are investigating whether information from the Dutch intelligence service AIVD has fallen into the hands of recently arrested terror suspects, it was reported Tuesday.

During the arrest of a 37-year-old man in Utrecht on 26 September, police seized information that possibly originated from the AIVD. The man is suspected of possession or the transport of explosives.

He was arrested the same night that a Moroccan family was detained in Utrecht on the same suspicions. The family was later released.

But another suspect — a 30-year-old man and possibly a relative of the Moroccan family— was arrested on Saturday in Utrecht. He is also being held on suspicion of the possession of explosives.

Meanwhile, police have arrested four suspects in an investigation into the possible breach of Dutch state secrets. The latest arrested was carried out on Tuesday, the national prosecution office said.

The suspect has been described as a 28-year-old man whose place of residence is not known. He is accused of handling stolen goods.

Police also arrested a 34-year-old staff member last week in the AIVD Leidschendam office on suspicion of supplying sensitive, secret information to two men.

The duo, aged 31 and 33, were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

The three suspects appeared before a court judge on Tuesday, at which time their remand detention was extended by 10 days.

The AIVD reportedly discovered the leaks itself and the man accused of leaking the information had been employed with the intelligence service for a short period only.

The AIVD has since taken measures to restrict the consequences of leaked information, newspaper De Telegraaf reported.

Subject: Dutch news