Hofstad Network
Encyclopedia
The Hofstad Network is an Islamist group of mostly young Dutch
Muslim
s of mainly Moroccan
ancestry.
The name "Hofstad" was originally the codename the Dutch secret service AIVD used for a set of individuals and leaked to the media. The name likely refers to the nickname of the city of The Hague
(Hofstad literally means "court city" as The Hague is the seat of the Dutch Royal Court), where some of the members live, though the AIVD denies this.
The network is said to have links to networks in Spain
and Belgium
. Among their contacts is Abdeladim Akoudad, also known as Naoufel, one of the suspects of the Casablanca Attacks
. The group is influenced by the ideology of Takfir wal-Hijra
. Redouan al-Issar
, also known as "The Syrian" is the suspected spiritual leader of the group. Most media attention is attracted by Mohammed Bouyeri
, sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Dutch film director
Theo van Gogh
and by Samir Azzouz
, suspected of planning terrorist attacks on the Dutch parliament and several strategic targets such as the national airport and a nuclear reactor
. The group is also suspected of planning to kill several members of government and parliament.
On October 14, 2003, Samir Azzouz
, Ismail Akhnikh, Jason Walters
and Redouan al-Issar
were put under arrest for planning a terrorist attack in the Netherlands, but were released soon after. Azzouz was eventually tried in this case, but acquitted for lack of evidence in 2005: he did possess what he thought to be a home-made bomb, but having used the wrong type of fertilizer
the device would never have exploded.
Shortly after the murder of Theo van Gogh
by Mohammed Bouyeri
in November 2004 the organization gained attention from national media when an attempt to arrest suspected members Jason Walters
and Ismail Akhnikh led to a 14 hour siege of a house in The Hague
. During these events, the name Hofstad Network became public and the media has continued to use this moniker to refer to the organization. In the months after the siege, a number of other suspected members of the organization were arrested. On December 5, 2005, the Hofstad court case against 14 suspected members started.
On March 10, the court convicted nine of the 14 suspects of being member of a criminal terrorist organisation. The other five suspected member were acquitted of this charge.
In the meantime, Samir Azzouz
, Jermaine Walters – suspected but not incarcerated – and another 5 members were arrested on suspicion of preparing an attack against (yet unnamed) national politicians and the building of the General Intelligence and Security Agency AIVD on October 14, 2005. In this separate case Nouredine el Fahtni
is also a suspect.
On December 1, 2005, Samir Azzouz
was sentenced to eight years in prison.
, dependency The Hague
, meeting in a protected courtroom in Amsterdam
-Osdorp put forth the following verdicts:.
Mohammed Bouyeri
was already serving a life sentence at the time and could not be further punished.
Jermaine Walters was exonerated from making a threat against former Dutch member of parliament Hirsi Ali.
Jermaine Walters, Nadir Adarraf, Rachid Belkacem, Mohamed El Bousklaoui and Zakaria Taybi were freed.
On January 23, 2008, the appeals court of The Hague
overthrew the verdict, and acquitted many of the suspects, stating that they found no evidence for the existence of the Hofstad network
:Verdict. Though acquitted on the count of membership of a criminal terrorist organisation, main suspect Jason W. was convicted however on other charges, of attempting to murder members of the Hague police officers in 2004 and of possessing hand grenades.
According to the Supreme Court, the formal definition of a "criminal terrorist organisation" as used by the Hague court was too narrow. It was an error to acquit the suspects only because of the legal definition of what constitutes an organisation. The case has been referred to the Amsterdam court for a retrial.
Born 1978; suspected leader of the group; convicted to a life sentence without parole for the murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh
.
Born sometime between 1955 and 1965; suspected spiritual leader of the group; currently wanted by Dutch authorities for his role in the network; possibly incarcerated in Syria.
Born 1986; tried and acquitted of planning terrorist attacks in 2004; currently also a suspect in a second case of terrorist activity, together with Nouredine el Fahtni
. Sentenced to 8 years imprisonment.
Born 1985; threw a hand grenade when police attempted to arrest him and Ismaël Akhnikh, causing a 14 hour siege of their house in The Hague
in November 2004; brother of Jermaine. Sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. The appeals court upheld the verdict.
Born 1983; arrested after a 14 hour police siege in The Hague
. Sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.
Carried a loaded automatic weapon at the time of his arrest, possibly on his way to kill politicians Geert Wilders
and/or Ayaan Hirsi Ali
; arrested in the summer of 2004 on suspicion of plotting an attack on then prime minister Barroso; currently also a suspect in a second case of terrorist activity, together with Samir Azzouz
. Sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, acquitted by the appeals court.
Born 1986; brother of Jason
, acquitted.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s of mainly Moroccan
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
ancestry.
The name "Hofstad" was originally the codename the Dutch secret service AIVD used for a set of individuals and leaked to the media. The name likely refers to the nickname of the city of The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
(Hofstad literally means "court city" as The Hague is the seat of the Dutch Royal Court), where some of the members live, though the AIVD denies this.
The network is said to have links to networks in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. Among their contacts is Abdeladim Akoudad, also known as Naoufel, one of the suspects of the Casablanca Attacks
2003 Casablanca bombings
The 2003 Casablanca bombings were a series of suicide bombings on May 16, 2003, in Casablanca, Morocco. The attacks were the deadliest terrorist attacks in the country's history. 45 people were killed as a result of these attacks...
. The group is influenced by the ideology of Takfir wal-Hijra
Takfir wal-Hijra
Jama'at al-Muslimin , popularly known as Takfir wal-Hijra , was a radical Islamist group led by Shukri Mustafa, which emerged in Egypt in the 1960s as an offshoot of Muslim Brotherhood, inspired by Sayyid Qutb.The group was...
. Redouan al-Issar
Redouan al-Issar
Redouan al-Issar was born in Syria in the late fifties or early sixties. He is by profession a geologist and a terrorist....
, also known as "The Syrian" is the suspected spiritual leader of the group. Most media attention is attracted by Mohammed Bouyeri
Mohammed Bouyeri
Mohammed Bouyeri is an Islamist Dutch–Moroccan and convicted murderer. He is currently serving a life sentence without parole for the assassination of Dutch film director Theo van Gogh. He holds both Dutch and Moroccan citizenship...
, sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Dutch film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Theo van Gogh
Theo van Gogh (film director)
Theodoor "Theo" van Gogh was a Dutch film director, film producer, columnist, author and actor.Van Gogh worked with the Somali-born writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali to produce the film Submission, which criticized the treatment of women in Islam and aroused controversy among Muslims...
and by Samir Azzouz
Samir Azzouz
Samir Azzouz is a Dutch national of Moroccan descent. He is currently incarcerated in Nieuw Vosseveld on suspicion of attempting to procure heavy firearms and planning terrorist attacks...
, suspected of planning terrorist attacks on the Dutch parliament and several strategic targets such as the national airport and a nuclear reactor
Nuclear reactor
A nuclear reactor is a device to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction. Most commonly they are used for generating electricity and for the propulsion of ships. Usually heat from nuclear fission is passed to a working fluid , which runs through turbines that power either ship's...
. The group is also suspected of planning to kill several members of government and parliament.
History
The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service AIVD dubbed the group Hofstad Network for internal purposes in the fall of 2002. The name was first publicly used by the Dutch Prosecutor's Office on November 10, 2004, after a police raid in the Antheunisstraat, a street in the Laakkwartier ("Laak Quarter") of The Hague.On October 14, 2003, Samir Azzouz
Samir Azzouz
Samir Azzouz is a Dutch national of Moroccan descent. He is currently incarcerated in Nieuw Vosseveld on suspicion of attempting to procure heavy firearms and planning terrorist attacks...
, Ismail Akhnikh, Jason Walters
Jason Walters
Jason Walters or Jamal is a Dutch Islamic extremist. He is the son of an African American soldier based in the Netherlands and a Dutch woman. The General Intelligence and Security Office suspects he is a senior member of the Hofstad Network, a terror cell based in the Netherlands...
and Redouan al-Issar
Redouan al-Issar
Redouan al-Issar was born in Syria in the late fifties or early sixties. He is by profession a geologist and a terrorist....
were put under arrest for planning a terrorist attack in the Netherlands, but were released soon after. Azzouz was eventually tried in this case, but acquitted for lack of evidence in 2005: he did possess what he thought to be a home-made bomb, but having used the wrong type of fertilizer
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. A recent assessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to commercial fertilizer use...
the device would never have exploded.
Shortly after the murder of Theo van Gogh
Theo van Gogh (film director)
Theodoor "Theo" van Gogh was a Dutch film director, film producer, columnist, author and actor.Van Gogh worked with the Somali-born writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali to produce the film Submission, which criticized the treatment of women in Islam and aroused controversy among Muslims...
by Mohammed Bouyeri
Mohammed Bouyeri
Mohammed Bouyeri is an Islamist Dutch–Moroccan and convicted murderer. He is currently serving a life sentence without parole for the assassination of Dutch film director Theo van Gogh. He holds both Dutch and Moroccan citizenship...
in November 2004 the organization gained attention from national media when an attempt to arrest suspected members Jason Walters
Jason Walters
Jason Walters or Jamal is a Dutch Islamic extremist. He is the son of an African American soldier based in the Netherlands and a Dutch woman. The General Intelligence and Security Office suspects he is a senior member of the Hofstad Network, a terror cell based in the Netherlands...
and Ismail Akhnikh led to a 14 hour siege of a house in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
. During these events, the name Hofstad Network became public and the media has continued to use this moniker to refer to the organization. In the months after the siege, a number of other suspected members of the organization were arrested. On December 5, 2005, the Hofstad court case against 14 suspected members started.
On March 10, the court convicted nine of the 14 suspects of being member of a criminal terrorist organisation. The other five suspected member were acquitted of this charge.
In the meantime, Samir Azzouz
Samir Azzouz
Samir Azzouz is a Dutch national of Moroccan descent. He is currently incarcerated in Nieuw Vosseveld on suspicion of attempting to procure heavy firearms and planning terrorist attacks...
, Jermaine Walters – suspected but not incarcerated – and another 5 members were arrested on suspicion of preparing an attack against (yet unnamed) national politicians and the building of the General Intelligence and Security Agency AIVD on October 14, 2005. In this separate case Nouredine el Fahtni
Nouredine el Fahtni
Nouredine el Fahtni , Moroccan, is a suspected member of terrorist organisation Hofstad Network, a Dutch organisation agitating for jihad against parliamentary democracy and the foundation of an islamic state....
is also a suspect.
On December 1, 2005, Samir Azzouz
Samir Azzouz
Samir Azzouz is a Dutch national of Moroccan descent. He is currently incarcerated in Nieuw Vosseveld on suspicion of attempting to procure heavy firearms and planning terrorist attacks...
was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Trial
On March 10, 2006, the court of RotterdamRotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, dependency The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, meeting in a protected courtroom in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
-Osdorp put forth the following verdicts:.
- Jason WaltersJason WaltersJason Walters or Jamal is a Dutch Islamic extremist. He is the son of an African American soldier based in the Netherlands and a Dutch woman. The General Intelligence and Security Office suspects he is a senior member of the Hofstad Network, a terror cell based in the Netherlands...
- 15 years incarceration - Ismail Akhnikh - 13 years incarceration
- Nouredine el FahtniNouredine el FahtniNouredine el Fahtni , Moroccan, is a suspected member of terrorist organisation Hofstad Network, a Dutch organisation agitating for jihad against parliamentary democracy and the foundation of an islamic state....
- 5 years incarceration - Yousef Ettoumi - 1 year
- Zine Labidine Aourghe - 18 months
- Mohammed Fahmi Boughabe - 18 months
- Mohamed el Morabit - 2 years
- Ahmed HamdiAhmed HamdiAhmed Hamdi was an Egyptian engineer. He also was a general of the third army of Egypt, during the Yom Kippur war...
- 2 years
Mohammed Bouyeri
Mohammed Bouyeri
Mohammed Bouyeri is an Islamist Dutch–Moroccan and convicted murderer. He is currently serving a life sentence without parole for the assassination of Dutch film director Theo van Gogh. He holds both Dutch and Moroccan citizenship...
was already serving a life sentence at the time and could not be further punished.
Jermaine Walters was exonerated from making a threat against former Dutch member of parliament Hirsi Ali.
Jermaine Walters, Nadir Adarraf, Rachid Belkacem, Mohamed El Bousklaoui and Zakaria Taybi were freed.
On January 23, 2008, the appeals court of The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
overthrew the verdict, and acquitted many of the suspects, stating that they found no evidence for the existence of the Hofstad network
Hofstad Network
The Hofstad Network is an Islamist group of mostly young Dutch Muslims of mainly Moroccan ancestry.The name "Hofstad" was originally the codename the Dutch secret service AIVD used for a set of individuals and leaked to the media...
:Verdict. Though acquitted on the count of membership of a criminal terrorist organisation, main suspect Jason W. was convicted however on other charges, of attempting to murder members of the Hague police officers in 2004 and of possessing hand grenades.
- Jason WaltersJason WaltersJason Walters or Jamal is a Dutch Islamic extremist. He is the son of an African American soldier based in the Netherlands and a Dutch woman. The General Intelligence and Security Office suspects he is a senior member of the Hofstad Network, a terror cell based in the Netherlands...
- 15 years incarceration - Ismail Akhnikh - 15 months incarceration
- Nouredine el FahtniNouredine el FahtniNouredine el Fahtni , Moroccan, is a suspected member of terrorist organisation Hofstad Network, a Dutch organisation agitating for jihad against parliamentary democracy and the foundation of an islamic state....
- acquitted - Yousef Ettoumi - acquitted
- Zine Labidine Aourghe - 18 months
- Mohammed Fahmi Boughabe - acquitted
- Mohamed el Morabit - acquitted
- Ahmed HamdiAhmed HamdiAhmed Hamdi was an Egyptian engineer. He also was a general of the third army of Egypt, during the Yom Kippur war...
- acquitted - Sanny - acquitted
Retrial
On February 2, 2010, the Hoge Raad or Dutch Supreme Court ordered a retrial of the suspects after the public prosecutor had appealed the verdict.According to the Supreme Court, the formal definition of a "criminal terrorist organisation" as used by the Hague court was too narrow. It was an error to acquit the suspects only because of the legal definition of what constitutes an organisation. The case has been referred to the Amsterdam court for a retrial.
Members
- Mohammed BouyeriMohammed BouyeriMohammed Bouyeri is an Islamist Dutch–Moroccan and convicted murderer. He is currently serving a life sentence without parole for the assassination of Dutch film director Theo van Gogh. He holds both Dutch and Moroccan citizenship...
Born 1978; suspected leader of the group; convicted to a life sentence without parole for the murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh
Theo van Gogh (film director)
Theodoor "Theo" van Gogh was a Dutch film director, film producer, columnist, author and actor.Van Gogh worked with the Somali-born writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali to produce the film Submission, which criticized the treatment of women in Islam and aroused controversy among Muslims...
.
- Redouan al-IssarRedouan al-IssarRedouan al-Issar was born in Syria in the late fifties or early sixties. He is by profession a geologist and a terrorist....
, aka "The Syrian", aka sheik Abu Khaled
Born sometime between 1955 and 1965; suspected spiritual leader of the group; currently wanted by Dutch authorities for his role in the network; possibly incarcerated in Syria.
- Samir AzzouzSamir AzzouzSamir Azzouz is a Dutch national of Moroccan descent. He is currently incarcerated in Nieuw Vosseveld on suspicion of attempting to procure heavy firearms and planning terrorist attacks...
Born 1986; tried and acquitted of planning terrorist attacks in 2004; currently also a suspect in a second case of terrorist activity, together with Nouredine el Fahtni
Nouredine el Fahtni
Nouredine el Fahtni , Moroccan, is a suspected member of terrorist organisation Hofstad Network, a Dutch organisation agitating for jihad against parliamentary democracy and the foundation of an islamic state....
. Sentenced to 8 years imprisonment.
- Jason WaltersJason WaltersJason Walters or Jamal is a Dutch Islamic extremist. He is the son of an African American soldier based in the Netherlands and a Dutch woman. The General Intelligence and Security Office suspects he is a senior member of the Hofstad Network, a terror cell based in the Netherlands...
, aka Abu Mujahied Amriki
Born 1985; threw a hand grenade when police attempted to arrest him and Ismaël Akhnikh, causing a 14 hour siege of their house in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
in November 2004; brother of Jermaine. Sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. The appeals court upheld the verdict.
- Ismaël Akhnikh, aka Suhaib
Born 1983; arrested after a 14 hour police siege in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
. Sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.
- Mohammed Fahmi Boughabe, aka Abu Mussab
- Nouredine el FahtniNouredine el FahtniNouredine el Fahtni , Moroccan, is a suspected member of terrorist organisation Hofstad Network, a Dutch organisation agitating for jihad against parliamentary democracy and the foundation of an islamic state....
,
Carried a loaded automatic weapon at the time of his arrest, possibly on his way to kill politicians Geert Wilders
Geert Wilders
Geert Wilders is a Dutch right-wing politician and leader of the Party for Freedom , the third-largest political party in the Netherlands. He is the Parliamentary group leader of his party in the Dutch House of Representatives...
and/or Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Ayaan Hirsi Magan Ali is a Somali-Dutch feminist and atheist activist, writer, politician who strongly opposes circumcision and female genital cutting. She is the daughter of the Somali politician and opposition leader Hirsi Magan Isse and is a founder of the women's rights organisation the AHA...
; arrested in the summer of 2004 on suspicion of plotting an attack on then prime minister Barroso; currently also a suspect in a second case of terrorist activity, together with Samir Azzouz
Samir Azzouz
Samir Azzouz is a Dutch national of Moroccan descent. He is currently incarcerated in Nieuw Vosseveld on suspicion of attempting to procure heavy firearms and planning terrorist attacks...
. Sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, acquitted by the appeals court.
- Jermaine Walters
Born 1986; brother of Jason
Jason Walters
Jason Walters or Jamal is a Dutch Islamic extremist. He is the son of an African American soldier based in the Netherlands and a Dutch woman. The General Intelligence and Security Office suspects he is a senior member of the Hofstad Network, a terror cell based in the Netherlands...
, acquitted.
- Yousef Ettoumi, nicknamed "Semi" and "Bommetje" (little bomb). Sentenced to 1 year imprisonment, acquitted by the appeals court.
- Ahmed HamdiAhmed HamdiAhmed Hamdi was an Egyptian engineer. He also was a general of the third army of Egypt, during the Yom Kippur war...
, sentenced to 2 years imprisonment, acquitted by the appeals court. - Zine Labidine Aourghe, sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, the appeals court upheld the verdict.
- Mohamed el Morabit, sentenced to 2 years imprisonment, acquitted by the appeals court.
- Nadir Adarraf, acquitted
- Zakaria Taybi , acquitted
- Rashid Boussana
- Mohamed el Bousklaoui, acquitted
- Racid BelkacemRacid BelkacemRachid Belkacem was a Dutch national, and a suspected member of the terrorist organisation Hofstad Network. He was never convicted in court. His nickname was Abu Fadel, he was a friend of Mohammed Bouyeri, the murderer of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh.Belkacem was arrested in Whitechapel, London...
, acquitted - Mohamed Boughaba, sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, acquitted by the appeals court.
VARA
- On May 18, 2006, a group of four young men delivered flowers to the Netherlands Public Broadcasting VARAVARA (broadcaster)The Omroepvereniging VARA is a Dutch public broadcasting association operating within the framework of the Nederlandse Publieke Omroep system, founded in 1925 as the Vereeniging van Arbeiders Radio Amateurs...
. The flowers included a note, "greetings, the Hofstadgroup," which was a 'thank you' for the VARA Zembla documentary broadcasted the week prior, on the topic of Ayaan Hirsi AliAyaan Hirsi AliAyaan Hirsi Magan Ali is a Somali-Dutch feminist and atheist activist, writer, politician who strongly opposes circumcision and female genital cutting. She is the daughter of the Somali politician and opposition leader Hirsi Magan Isse and is a founder of the women's rights organisation the AHA...
's asylum background. Jermaine Walters was said to be one of the men.