Hilversum family has moved to Syria: fourth Huizen parent released

A family from Hilversum with four children is thought to have travelled to Syria to join the IS-declared caliphate, mayor Pieter Broertjes has told the city council.

Broertjes said he was alerted to their departure by the AIVD security service. The mayor said in an interview with local broadcaster RTV Noord-Holland several days ago he would not be surprised if Hilversum families also made the move.

Two weeks ago, police arrested the parents of two families in nearby Huizen who, officials claimed, were planning to move to Syria, taking their six children with them.

Evidence

However, judges have since released all four adults from custody for lack of evidence and reunited them with their children. Three were released last week, the fourth man on Thursday.

Last weekend, Dutch media reported that a Muslim family from Amersfoort with three children and a second family from Utrecht have also moved to Syria.

It is not yet known if the Hilversum family also included western converts. According to some reports, several of the families under investigation include Dutch nationals who have converted to Islam.

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