# Two released after arrest over Prinsjesdag train sabotage

> A 49-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman were questioned and released on Thursday, the Public Prosecution Service said. The sabotage that disrupted trains on 15 September remains under investigation.

Society · published 2026-11-13 15:43 · https://nlnow.nl/a/two-drenthe-suspects-arrested-over-prinsjesdag-rail-sabotage/

The Openbaar Ministerie (OM), the Public Prosecution Service, said on Friday that police arrested a 49-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, both from Drenthe, on Thursday in the investigation into the rail sabotage on Prinsjesdag (15 September).

Prosecutors suspect the two of passing on information at a meeting about how to disrupt the rail network, as happened on 15 September.

Both were released the same day after questioning. The OM says the suspicion is not currently strong enough to keep them in custody. They remain suspects.

On 15 September, objects including metal pipes and jump leads were left on the tracks at several points in the Netherlands. Large parts of the rail network came to a standstill. Nobody was injured.

The OM says serious accidents could have happened. Prime Minister Rob Jetten called the actions "disruptive and life-threatening".

The OM calls it a complex investigation because the perpetrators struck at dozens of locations. It asks witnesses to come forward, anonymously if they wish.

ProRail, which manages the track, said the investigation is a matter for the OM. "we're on standby if they need us," a spokesperson said.

## Background

- **OM (Openbaar Ministerie)**: The Public Prosecution Service, which decides whether suspects are prosecuted and brings criminal cases to court.
- **Prinsjesdag**: Prinsjesdag is the day the Dutch parliamentary year officially opens, held on the third Tuesday of September in The Hague. The King gives the speech from the throne (troonrede) in the Ridderzaal, setting out the government's plans, and the Finance Minister presents the national budget (Miljoenennota) and tax proposals to the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) that day. It is one of the most visible days in the Dutch political calendar.
- **ProRail**: ProRail is the organisation that manages the Dutch national railway infrastructure, which is the track, signalling, and level crossings. It also handles train traffic control and allocates railway capacity to the operators such as NS. Its work keeps the rail network running safely and on schedule.

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