Dutch authorities have launched an international hunt for a Syrian man they believe is the leader of a radical Muslim network, prosecutors said today.
"There is what we believe is a Syrian," prosecution spokesman Mr Wim de Bruin said when asked about further investigations following a string of arrests of suspected Islamist militants in the Netherlands.
"There is an international search for him. We think he is the leader of a network of radical Muslims," he added.
Mr De Bruin declined to give further details, but Dutch media have referred to a 43-year-old Syrian suspected of involvement in the murder of Dutch film maker Theo Van Gogh, threats against a politician and of planning attacks on government buildings.
The media has said a Syrian had contact with Mohammed B., the man accused of murdering Van Gogh, who had made a film critical of Islam.
The Netherlands has been on a state of high alert since Van Gogh was killed on November 2nd by a suspected Islamic militant over the film about violence against women in Muslim society.
An Amsterdam court today extended the detention of 26-year-old Dutch-Moroccan Mohammed B. and four others who have been charged with belonging to a terrorist group and conspiracy to murder. Magistrates also ordered seven other people arrested on Wednesday to remain in custody for the next 10 days.