Dutch police arrested a politician accused of being involved in a plan to assassinate Mark Rutte.

Arnoud van Doorn, leader of the Unity Party in The Hague, where he is a city councilor, was arrested last Sunday and released the next day after police interrogation.

According to the Royal and Diplomatic Security Service (Dkdb) the man exhibited suspicious behavior while walking in the same area where Rutte was. And for this reason the handcuffs went off.

In recent days, security has been increased for the Dutch premier for fear that he may be the target of an attack or kidnapping by a criminal gang.

The man arrested was formerly a member of Geert Wilders' far-right populist party PVV, but after exiting it he converted to Islam.

According to his lawyers, he should not be arrested since "there was no real reason to suspect him".

But the Dutch magistrates, in confirming the arrest, have made it known that an investigation is still ongoing. It is suspected that Van Doorn was gathering information "in preparation for an attempt to kill" the prime minister.

(Unioneonline / L)

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