The investigation began when the The Hague police unit in August 2025 identified a TikTok account extensively spreading Dutch-subtitled IS propaganda. From that moment, a strategic and intensive collaboration was established between various Public Prosecutors Offices and police units of the National Police.
The posts called for joining the fight and glorified martyrdom. Some TikTok posts were viewed over 100,000 times. The accounts posts were followed by other accounts that engaged to varying degrees in editing and spreading IS propaganda.
Incitement
The suspects, aged 16 to 53, were arrested by various police units across the country. They are suspected of incitement related to a terrorist offense, spreading IS propaganda, and/or participating in a terrorist organization. Four suspects are minors. In total, 16 suspects were arrested across nine police regions. The main suspect was already arrested on January 20, 2025.
Today, the The Hague unit made four arrests, Rotterdam two, Limburg two, North Holland two, Amsterdam one, Zeeland West Brabant one, North Netherlands one, East Netherlands one, and Central Netherlands one.
Thirteen suspects hold Syrian nationality. Four suspects hold Dutch nationality.
Intensive cooperation
Todays arrests were coordinated by the Public Prosecutors Office in The Hague. The criminal cases will be transferred and handled by the respective Public Prosecutors Offices.
The police units will continue to collaborate intensively and conduct investigations in this large-scale criminal investigation, with further arrests explicitly not excluded.
Warning
The Public Prosecutors Office and the police take this opportunity to inform and warn everyone that spreading IS propaganda is punishable. Glorifying and spreading propaganda severely undermines the safety of society. This is why the police and Public Prosecutors Office take action against it.
The material is often shared on platforms such as TikTok and other social media. If you see violent content related to terrorist organizations on social media, report it to the police or the National Support Center for Extremism www.landelijksteunpuntextremisme.nl.