Three men were arrested in Rotterdam for allegedly planning to travel to Syria and participate in jihad there. Police searched the men's home and found knives, a crossbow, a sword, farewell letters and a large amount of jihadist documentation.
Backpacks were also found, indicating that the trio was ready to leave. The reason for the arrest is an investigation by the AIVD. The men, ages 22, 23 and 33, are believed to be radicalized Muslims. To pay for the trip to Syria, the trio most likely held a collection, the prosecutor's office reported on its website.
One of the accused married an Internet bride last week. He only knew the Muslim woman through the Internet and together with her he wanted to fight in Syria for jihad. On the Internet, the man spoke to his wife-to-be, "I hope we will die together and go to paradise together."
