Amsterdam mayor sacks head of anti-radicalisation unit for fraud

Amsterdam’s town hall and opera complex

Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan has sacked the head of his anti-radicalisation unit following corruption allegations.

An investigation by the city’s integrity unit showed that the woman, named in the press as Saadia AT was involved in a conflict of interest, according to the city council press release. The Volkskrant said she had awarded contracts to a man with whom she had a relationship.

T not only failed to report the relationship to her superiors, but reportedly also wrote an invoice on behalf of the man which she then approved in her official position, the paper said.

The mayor has also suspended dealings with a number of ‘persons and companies’ involved in the anti-radicalisation programme in Amsterdam. The criminal investigation into possible fraud is still underway.

T, 33, had been regarded as Van der Laan’s ‘right hand’ woman in the city’s efforts to stop youngsters becoming radicalised. She was suspended several weeks ago after the allegations first surfaced.

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