Dutch raise terror threat alert over anti-Islam film

On Thursday, the Netherlands raised its national risk level of a terrorist attack to «substantial,» ahead of the launch of a film by right-wing politician Geert Wilders. In a report to the Dutch parliament, he Dutch counter-terrorism agency said that the assessment was also influenced by increased arrests and threats of individuals and groups suspected of associating with, planning, or carrying out terrorist attacks in Europe. The Dutch government warned that the film, to be released later this month, might spark unrest similar to that triggered when Danish newspapers published cartoons of the prophet Muhammad in 2006. The government has twice failed to convince Wilders not to broadcast his film, fearing a repeat of the worldwide protests that erupted following the printing of the Danish cartoons; it has warned its embassies in Muslim countries to be on alert.

March 6-7, 2008

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