********* From: Rembert Oldenboom <rembertat_private> Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2001 15:58:34 GMT Subject: Reporter arrested in Netherlands To: declanat_private Hi Declan, Yesterday after business hours a Dutch reporter asked some questions at the BVD, the Dutch counterpart of the CIA. This reporter was busy making a television program regarding biological warfare which will be broadcasted this evening during the program 'Netwerk'. At 4:00 AM last night five highly armed persons got to her house and arrested her. Appearantly her questions raised some suspicoun and possibly because these questions got asked after business hours, they raised even more suspicioun. This morning her boyfriend alarmed everyone and the Network cast rang the head of the BVD: he didn't know about this arrest at that moment. A couple of hours later she was freed again. Greetz, Rembert. ********* From: Rembert Oldenboom <rembertat_private> Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2001 11:49:01 GMT Message-ID: <20010927.11490100at_private> Subject: Re: Reporter arrested in Netherlands To: Declan McCullagh <declanat_private> >From the Volkskrant (www.volkskrant.nl) website, roughly translated into English: The reporter arrested had called the BVD almost at the same time as the BVD received an anonymous phonecall regarding a bomb which should explode somewhere (the letter appeared to be false as are all letters until now). The BVD has admitted they had made a mistake. Van den Broek had called the BVD regarding their report on chemical and biological warfare (which got broadcasted yesterday). At 10 PM she got called on her mobile phone: someone asked if she was named Van den Broek. On her confirmation the connection got terminated. Five hours later the squad appeared at her door, having a battering ram ready. The squad listened to her story but still decided they had to arrest her. The next morning at 10 AM she got asked if she wanted to take a shower - at that moment she still didn't know why she was arrested. The editor-in-chief of the tv-program called with the police and justice but they didn't know about her arrest. A lawyer managed to trace her afterwards and managed to get her free. The police excused themselves, gave her flowers and brought her home. The reporter didn't want to talk about the incident nor did the police or justice: they latter two referred to the BVD. They also excused themselves and also gave Van den Broek flowers. Another story: This morning the Netherlands woke up and learned four major tunnels were closed down resulting in huge traffic jams. Cause was an anonymous but very detailed letter sent to the press explained cars would explode in those tunnels at 8 AM. Those cars were explicity described including color, type and place where they got stolen. The impact of the explosions should be that strong the tunnels would collapse. The writer didn't disagree with the actions against the 'pernicious western world' but felt this action would take too many lives. He said he wanted to remain anonymous as otherwise he and his family would get hurt. This warning was taken very seriously, the Dutch army, heavily armed, investigated every car in the traffic jam on a very aggressive and intimidating way. But nothing got found and, as far as is known now, no one is arrested. At this moment, the tunnels are open for traffic again. More information can be found on the Volkskrant website at www.volkskrant.nl, but that site is in Dutch. Finally, regarding the mandatory ID. I'm now sure it's not mandatory here. But, as a result of the situation in the US, people are discussing this again. Two-third of the people here agree to have an mandatory ID. But criticists feel it will only give people a fake sense of security: a well-skilled terrorist will definately be able to get himself a false ID. The main reason not to have the mandatory ID is indeed sentimental historical as the links to the mandatory ID as imposed by the Nazis during WW II are still too strong. But it seems this is weakening now. Greetz, Rembert And yes, you're free to do with this information whatever you like :-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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