Dutch authorities arrest Frenchman ‘planning terror attack’

Paris requests suspect’s detention in Rotterdam, will extradite him in coming days

French soldiers patrol in Paris, March 25, 2016. (AFP/Eric Feferberg)
French soldiers patrol in Paris, March 25, 2016. (AFP/Eric Feferberg)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Dutch police arrested a 32-year-old Frenchman in the port city of Rotterdam on Sunday at the request of French authorities who suspect him of “involvement in planning a terror attack,” prosecutors said.

Residents were evacuated from homes near addresses on two streets that were raided Sunday by anti-terror police, who also took three other men into custody.

French officials requested the arrest Friday after the suspect emerged during an investigation, according to a statement from the Dutch national prosecutor’s office.

Spokesman Wim de Bruin declined to give more details about the alleged plot, saying it was a French investigation.

The suspect, whose identity was not released, is expected to be extradited to France soon.

Three other men were detained in Sunday’s raids; two with Algerian backgrounds and a third man whose identity could not immediately be established.

De Bruin said the three were held in relation to a Dutch investigation, but he gave no further details.

The raids came with Europe on high alert following the deadly suicide bombings in Brussels.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

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