Three 17-year-old men are suspected of providing services for a foreign power. It is suspected that one of them was in contact with a hackers group linked to the Russian government. This suspect also instructed the other two to map out Wi-Fi networks in The Hague on multiple dates. The collected information was shared for payment with the client and can be used for digital espionage and cyberattacks.
The investigation began following a report from the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD). Two suspects were arrested on Monday, September 22, and shortly thereafter presented to the examining magistrate. He decided that both suspects should remain in custody for 14 days, with one suspect placed in a juvenile detention center and the other placed under house arrest.
Chamber
On Wednesday, October 8, the preliminary detention of these two suspects was addressed in a closed chamber of the court. It was determined that the preliminary detention of the suspect who was placed in a juvenile detention center would be extended until October 27, but that he must undergo it in the form of house arrest. He will be suspended on October 27, meaning he may await the further investigation at home, under somewhat less strict conditions. The second suspect was suspended under conditions as of October 8. He is no longer under house arrest.
Third Suspect
A third minor suspect was recently heard by the police, and data carriers were seized from him. This person was not arrested due to his limited role in the case. The investigation into the precise involvement of the suspects is ongoing. Due to the young age of the suspects, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) is very cautious in sharing further information, but given the recent media coverage of this case, the OM emphasizes that there are currently no indications that other individuals from the environment of the aforementioned suspects have criminal involvement in this case. There are also no indications so far that pressure has been exerted on the suspect who was in contact with the hackers group linked to the Russian government.
State Interference Team
The investigation is being carried out by the State Interference Team of the National Unit for Investigation and Interventions (LO), under the direction of the National Public Prosecutors Office. The National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) and the security services AIVD and MIVD have long warned about state actors who increasingly assert their own interests, including through digital espionage. Since May 15, more forms of espionage have been criminalized. The police and OM teams have been established to investigate such cases.