Breaking News: Netherlands Arrests Two Teenagers in Spying Case Linked to Russia
Two 17-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of "state interference" in the Netherlands, prosecutors announced today, in a case with reported links to Russian spying. The pair were allegedly contacted by pro-Russian hackers on the messaging app Telegram.
According to Dutch media, one of the boys was seen walking past the offices of Europol, Eurojust and the Canadian embassy in The Hague carrying a "wi-fi sniffer" - a device designed to identify and intercept wi-fi networks. The teenagers appeared before a judge yesterday, who ordered one boy be remanded in custody and the other placed on strict home bail conditions until a hearing next week.
The National Office of the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service confirmed the court appearance but declined to provide further details due to the suspects' age and "the interest of the investigation", which is ongoing. The father of one of the boys told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that police arrested his son on Monday afternoon while he was doing his homework.
The arrest comes as tensions between Russia and the West continue to escalate, with recent reports of Russian hacking attempts targeting European institutions. The incident has sparked concerns about the vulnerability of sensitive information in the Netherlands.
As the investigation unfolds, experts warn that the case highlights the growing threat of cyber espionage and the need for increased vigilance against state-sponsored hacking. The Dutch government has yet to comment on the matter, but officials are expected to address the issue in a press conference later today.
The next hearing is scheduled to take place within two weeks, where more details about the case may be revealed.
*This story is developing. Information compiled from Bbc reporting.*
