The 55-year-old man who was arrested by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee at Schiphol Plaza at the end of November last year said he wanted to release a virus. A glass jar was found in his suitcase and was urgently transferred to RIVM for analysis. In the end, no hazardous substances were found.
The man had already announced by e-mail a few weeks prior to the incident that he wanted to release a virus at the airport, reports the military police. As a result, the Marechaussee was briefed about the man and he was immediately recognized at the airport that day. The man was searched and said the virus was in his suitcase.
The man’s threat was taken very seriously. A large part of Schiphol Plaza was cordoned off and, in addition to the police, ambulances and fire brigade, specialist teams such as the CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives) of Defense were called in.
In the meantime, the man, who according to the Marechaussee was taken ‘quietly and cooperatively’. He stated that the situation was safe as long as his suitcase was not opened. A search of his phone found texts describing him wanting to release a virus from a glass jar and something about radioactive material. Such a jar was also in his photos.
Two men in blue special suits took all kinds of measurements around the suitcase before it was opened. The glass jar of the photos was found in the suitcase. According to the Marechaussee, the equipment did not work. The jar was urgently taken to the RIVM for an extensive analysis, according to protocol.
The suspect, as well as the members of the Marechaussee involved, all had to go through a specially equipped decontamination street. Because they all had to be quarantined, the man was transferred to a cell complex by the two members of the Marechaussee involved. The ventilation in that building had been turned off as a precaution to prevent any contamination. The man was interrogated using mobile phones and a glass wall. Only when the RIVM had not found anything were they allowed to leave quarantine.
The motive of the man is still not clear, the investigation is still ongoing.
