Suspected ISIS security chief arrested in small Dutch town Arkel

The OM (Openbaar Ministerie, AKA Public Prosecution Service) has reported the arrest of a 37-year-old Syrian man in Arkel, a small town in South Holland.

In a press release, they state that the man is suspected of having been involved with terrorist organisations Jabhat al-Nursa and the Islamic State.

Security chief turned asylum seeker

The arrested man is said to have been chief of security at the IS between 2015 and 2018. Prior to that, he allegedly held the same position at Jabhat al-Nusra for two years. 

From his position at IS, the suspect would have been involved in war crimes committed by the organisation during the Syrian Civil War.

In 2019, the man applied for asylum in the Netherlands, and settled in Arkel in 2020.

After information about his past had come to light, the TIM (International Crimes Team) started investigating. He will now be brought before the examining magistrate in The Hague on January 20.

Not the first time

As the NOS writes, there have been previous cases of Syrians living in the Netherlands being arrested on suspicion of ties with the Islamic State or the Jabhat al-Nursa.

In 2021, a Syrian man was arrested at a centre for asylum seekers in Friesland. He had been involved in terrorist acts by the IS and other groups across Syria and Iraq.

READ MORE | Twelve Dutch IS women (and their 28 kids) brought from Syria back to the Netherlands

Another case is that of Aziz A., who, in 2021, was sentenced to 15 years and nine months in prison. He had a high-ranking position within Jabhat al-Nursa from 2011 to 2014.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮

Feature Image:Depositphotos
Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
Say 'hoi' to Lyna, our Senior Writer at DutchReview! Fueled by a love for writing, social media, and all things Dutch, she joined the DR family in 2022. Since making the Netherlands her home in 2018, she has collected a BA in English Literature & Society (Hons.) and an RMA in Arts, Literature and Media (Hons.). Even though she grew up just a few hours away from the Netherlands, Lyna remains captivated by the guttural language, quirky culture, and questionable foods that make the Netherlands so wonderfully Dutch.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related posts

Latest posts

19 best things to do in Utrecht in 2025

The Dom Tower, the Miffy museum, and the inner city's sunken canals — there are tons of things to do in Utrecht. With beautiful...

More international students are staying in the Netherlands after graduating: here’s why

While some only enjoy a flying academic visit, many international students are staying and successfully finding work after graduating in the Netherlands. Was it the...

How to save money on your mobile bill in the Netherlands

Lowering your Dutch mobile bill is easier than you think — by choosing the right plan and avoiding hidden fees, you can save some...

It's happening

Upcoming events