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Holland: Security operations

01 July 2003

In June an anonymous group published a brochure detailing observation operations carried out by the marechaussee's (military police/Gendarmerie) anti-terror unit Brigade Speciale Beveiligingsopdrachten (BSB), a 40-strong crack unit modelled after the German GSG 9. BSB personnel are apparently involved in intensive observations of activists suspected of having sabotaged military installations and objects eg. the destruction of several Bolkow helicopters on 3 February 1992 at Deelen military airport. Most interesting in the booklet is the fact that the unknown authors, who are obviously HAM radio enthusiasts, have registered the sudden presence of BVD observation teams at least four times immediately before sabotage actions were carried out on military installations in the central Netherlands, including the attack in February 1992. In spite of this, no arrests were made. This raises the question whether the BVD had foreknowledge which it kept to itself instead of warning the military authorities. The booklet has led to questions in parliament.

De Rode Oortjes Wie niet weg is, is gezien. De marechaussee bespioneert anti-militaristen. Amsterdam: Ravijn, 1993, 76pp, ISBN 9072768299 (The Red Ears Who are not gone are seen. The military police spies on anti-militarists).