THE HAGUE, Netherlands — An explosive device that was inserted through a mail slot detonated at the political headquarters of Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on Thursday evening, though no one was hurt in the incident, officials confirmed Friday.
Authorities in The Hague have taken a 37-year-old individual into custody in connection with the explosion at the D66 party’s offices, though police have not disclosed additional information about the suspect or potential reasons behind the attack.
According to Jetten, approximately 30 members of the party’s youth organization were conducting a meeting when the blast occurred, leaving them shaken but physically uninjured.
During his regular Friday press briefing, Jetten, who assumed the prime minister role in February, addressed reporters about the incident. “It’s pretty futile if you think you can intimidate politicians with these kinds of actions,” he stated.
Political leaders from across the spectrum have denounced the bombing alongside Jetten.
Dilan Yeşilgöz, who heads the center-right VVD party, described the incident as a “cowardly act” in a social media statement. Meanwhile, opposition figure Jesse Klave from the leftist PRO party characterized the explosion as “a direct attack on our democracy and the rule of law.”
This marks the second assault on the downtown Hague facility within twelve months. Last September, a right-wing protest turned violent, resulting in damage to the same office building just prior to the national elections.
When the earlier attack occurred in the fall, Jetten, who holds the distinction of being the Netherlands’ youngest prime minister in history, responded with similar resolve, referring to the perpetrators as “scum” on social media.
