Egyptian man in Dutch custody arrested on suspicion of working for foreign power
The Public Prosecution Service (OM) says a 34-year-old Egyptian man, already in custody over an Amsterdam assault case, is now also suspected of acting for a foreign power. Its investigation indicates he was involved in intimidation and threats at demonstrations, including at his country's embassy.
A 34-year-old Egyptian man was arrested on Tuesday 27 October on suspicion of providing services to a foreign power, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) and police said. He was already being held in a separate case. He is suspected of carrying out activities for a foreign power, an offence under article 98d of the Wetboek van Strafrecht, the criminal code.
The new investigation is being run by the national investigation unit Eenheid Landelijke Opsporing en Interventies and covers several events in 2025 and 2026. The investigation indicates the man was involved in intimidation and threats at various gatherings and demonstrations, including at his country's embassy.
Amsterdam police first arrested him on Sunday 11 October on suspicion of premeditated assault and robbery with violence (diefstal met geweld). On Monday 26 October a remand hearing at the Amsterdam district court ordered him held for 30 days in that case.
He is being held under full restrictions and may have contact only with his lawyer. The national office of the Public Prosecution Service (Landelijk Parket) is leading the new investigation. He will appear before the supervising judge (rechter-commissaris) on Friday 30 October.
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Wetboek van Strafrecht
The Dutch Criminal Code, the main national law that defines which acts are criminal offences and sets the penalties for them. It covers offences such as theft, assault and fraud, as well as offences against the state, including article 98d, which makes it a crime to carry out certain acts for a foreign power. Prosecutors and courts in the Netherlands apply it in every criminal case.
Eenheid Landelijke Opsporing en Interventies
The Landelijke Opsporing en Interventies unit is a nationwide unit of the Dutch National Police (Nationale Politie). It carries out criminal investigations that cross regional boundaries and handles specialised interventions, such as complex arrests and high-risk operations. Its work is coordinated at national level rather than by a single regional police force.