The municipalities had an external research agency draw up reports on, among other things, people’s religious movements and political preferences. The investigations are said to have been conducted in the period after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war and the series of attacks in Europe by the Islamic State, about ten years ago.
The municipality of Huizen regrets the state of affairs
Mayor Ferraro of the municipality of Huizen said in an initial response that he regretted the investigation. “We will apologize to the Islamic community for the fact that we have intruded into the privacy of our residents in an unacceptable manner.”
According to the AP, the municipalities engaged the investigation agency on the advice of the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security. During that period, current outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof was its head.
More later.
