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Police injured in Dutch blast
AN EXPLOSION during a police raid on a house in The Hague early today wounded three police officers, while Dutch authorities closed the air space over the city as part of the operation. Authorities would not confirm whether the raid was connected to an investigation into possible terrorist suspects, and it was not immediately clear why air space over the city - which has no major airports - had been closed. Several city blocks were cordoned off in a mostly immigrant neighbourhood near The Hague's Holland Spoor train station, and police demanded identification from anyone wishing to leave. The explosion occurred as police raided the house during an operation they said was conducted on behalf of national prosecutors. Gunshots were also heard during the raid. Two police officers were hospitalised in serious but not life-threatening condition, and one was treated and released with minor injuries, police spokesman Frans van Rijnswou said. The building was surrounded by police in riot gear, fire engines, ambulances and swat teams. Photographers on the scene showed images of a man of Asian descent being dragged from the building clad only in boxer shorts and escorted away, but police would not confirm the apparent arrest. They did confirm there were still suspects in the building. Authorities would not say whether the raid was connected to an investigation in the alleged terrorist slaying of filmmaker Theo van Gogh on November 2. Van Gogh had received death threats after the release of his most recent film about the treatment of women under Islam. There have been more than a dozen arson attacks in the Netherlands against churches and mosques since Van Gogh's killing in Amsterdam more than a week ago. Six suspects, believed to be members of a terrorist group, remain in custody, including the alleged killer, 26-year-old Mohammed Bouyeri, who holds dual Dutch and Moroccan nationality. Posted by: tipper 2004-11-10 |
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