Hofstad Network

The Hofstad Network (in Dutch: Hofstadnetwerk or Hofstadgroep) is an Islamist terrorist cell of mostly young Dutch Muslims of mainly North African ancestry. The name "Hofstad" likely refers to the Dutch city The Hague, though Dutch secret service have denied this.

Related Topics:
Islamist - Terrorist cell - Dutch - Muslim - North Africa - The Hague

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The network is said to have links to networks in Spain and Belgium. The Syrian Redouan al-Issar is the suspected spiritual leader of the group. Among the known members of the group are Mohammed Bouyeri, who was convicted of murdering Dutch film director Theo van Gogh and sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2005, and Samir Azzouz, suspected of planning terrorist attacks on the Dutch parliament, Schiphol Airport, the Dutch main airport, and a nuclear reactor. The group is influenced by the ideology of Takfir wal-Hijra. They also wanted to kill Dutch members of parliament Geert Wilders and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, as well as mayor Job Cohen and vice-mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb of Amsterdam. In November 2004, after a siege and the arrest of Jason Walters in The Hague, files are found on his computer which show that the Hofstad Network had plans to kill the Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Gerrit Zalm.

Related Topics:
Spain - Belgium - Syria - Redouan al-Issar - Mohammed Bouyeri - Film director - Theo van Gogh - Samir Azzouz - Dutch parliament - Schiphol Airport - Nuclear reactor - Takfir wal-Hijra - Geert Wilders - Ayaan Hirsi Ali - Job Cohen - Ahmed Aboutaleb - Jason Walters - Prime Minister - Jan Peter Balkenende - Minister of Finance - Gerrit Zalm

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