News report | 21-01-2026 | 12:30

A 61-year-old man from Lochem, who was arrested on August 30, 2025, on suspicion of threatening the political party BBB, will not be further prosecuted by the Public Prosecution Service East Netherlands. 

In an interview published in a national newspaper on August 30, the man was quoted as follows about BBB: ‘They protect farmers and hunters. We do nothing to Caroline van der Plas, but that partys office will be dealt with. Set it on fire.’

According to the Public Prosecution Service, a statement in these terms constitutes a criminal threat. The reason the man is not prosecuted is that there is insufficient evidence that the statement was actually made in this way.

The journalist states that the statement was made in this way. The suspect denies having said this literally. The interviewee had not approved the story prior to publication. The Public Prosecution Service does not have audio recordings or notes of the conversation. The investigation did not produce sufficient supporting evidence.

The parties involved have been informed of the decision to drop the case against the suspect.