Twenty-four people have been formally charged in connection with threats made against Dutch politicians and officials last year, the public prosecution department said in a statement.

Seven of those accused have already been sentenced to community service, fines or provisional jail terms, the department said. Two people were cleared of the charges and 15 cases still have to be heard.

In total, politicians and senior public officials reported 200 threats against them last year, a drop of 20% on 2014.

In 92 cases, officials decided there was a case to answer after an initial investigation. Seven of those cases have since been dropped and the remainder, which have not yet gone to court, are still being investigated.

The reporting system covers ministers and junior ministers and senior officials such as the ombudsman. It also includes mayors and aldermen based in The Hague area.