Dutch arrest two in big swoop near Belgian border

Nov 16, 2015

Dutch police have arrested two people after a massive operation at in south Limburg province, close to the Belgian border, Dutch media reported Monday.

THE HAGUE - Dutch police have arrested two people after a massive operation at  in south Limburg province, close to the Belgian border, Dutch media reported Monday.

Video images showed at least 10 marked and unmarked police vehicles at a barn near the small town of Susteren, 30 kilometres (18 miles) north of Maastricht, while a police helicopter was circling overhead.

Some police officers could be seen wearing balaclavas.

An employee at a nearby car dealership, who asked not to be named, told AFP "there is a lot of police here and they have closed off the area."

National Dutch news agency ANP reported that a robot device was being used by the Dutch explosives clearance unit, while at least one of the two people arrested were instructed to remove their clothes, according to witnesses.

The Netherlands has been on high alert since Friday's attacks in Paris, but there was no immediate confirmation of any link.

Police and the public prosecutors' office were not immediately available for comment.

One of the key suspects in the terror attacks is Salah Abdeslam, 26, against whom an international arrest warrant has been issued by French police, who have described him as "dangerous". Belgian media described him as "public enemy number one". 

AFP

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