Muslim mole panics Dutch secret
THE Dutch secret service has been infiltrated by an Islamic extremist linked to the killer of Theo van Gogh, the Dutch film-maker whose murder has accelerated Holland?’s transformation from one of Europe?’s most tolerant countries into a society increasingly polarised by fears about immigration.
Intelligence sources said last week that a mole working for a terrorist group codenamed the ?“Hofstad cell?” had been arrested on suspicion of relaying information collected by the authorities to its members.
The disclosure has compounded the embarrassment of the security services, which have admitted they were watching Mohammed Bouyeri, the 26-year-old Dutch-born Moroccan charged with van Gogh?’s murder, from August 2002.
They ended their surveillance less than two weeks before Bouyeri allegedly shot the film director six times as he cycled down an Amsterdam street, then butchered him with a knife.
The murder ?— apparently provoked by the 47-year-old van Gogh?’s outspoken attacks on radical Islam, including a film depicting Koranic verses on a naked female back to represent the supposed oppression of women ?— has been followed by what Jan Peter Balkenende, the prime minister, called ?“a maelstrom of violence?”.
There have been more than 20 arson attacks on mosques, churches and schools ?— the latest early yesterday on a mosque in the southeastern village of Helden. The spiral of attack and counterattack has shattered the image of Dutch society as one that cherishes consensus and abhors conflict.
Jozias van Aartsen, the parliamentary Speaker, warned yesterday: ?“Jihad has come to the Netherlands.?”
Several politicians ?— including Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a liberal MP of Somali origin and van Gogh?’s co-producer ?— were forced into hiding after death threats from Islamic extremists, and a poll revealed that 40% of the Dutch now hope their 900,000 Muslim neighbours no longer feel at home. Some 80% want tougher policies against immigrants.
By Justin Sparks, Amsterdam
THE Dutch secret service has been infiltrated by an Islamic extremist linked to the killer of Theo van Gogh, the Dutch film-maker whose murder has accelerated Holland?’s transformation from one of Europe?’s most tolerant countries into a society increasingly polarised by fears about immigration.
Intelligence sources said last week that a mole working for a terrorist group codenamed the ?“Hofstad cell?” had been arrested on suspicion of relaying information collected by the authorities to its members.
The disclosure has compounded the embarrassment of the security services, which have admitted they were watching Mohammed Bouyeri, the 26-year-old Dutch-born Moroccan charged with van Gogh?’s murder, from August 2002.
They ended their surveillance less than two weeks before Bouyeri allegedly shot the film director six times as he cycled down an Amsterdam street, then butchered him with a knife.
The murder ?— apparently provoked by the 47-year-old van Gogh?’s outspoken attacks on radical Islam, including a film depicting Koranic verses on a naked female back to represent the supposed oppression of women ?— has been followed by what Jan Peter Balkenende, the prime minister, called ?“a maelstrom of violence?”.
There have been more than 20 arson attacks on mosques, churches and schools ?— the latest early yesterday on a mosque in the southeastern village of Helden. The spiral of attack and counterattack has shattered the image of Dutch society as one that cherishes consensus and abhors conflict.
Jozias van Aartsen, the parliamentary Speaker, warned yesterday: ?“Jihad has come to the Netherlands.?”
Several politicians ?— including Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a liberal MP of Somali origin and van Gogh?’s co-producer ?— were forced into hiding after death threats from Islamic extremists, and a poll revealed that 40% of the Dutch now hope their 900,000 Muslim neighbours no longer feel at home. Some 80% want tougher policies against immigrants.
By Justin Sparks, Amsterdam