Halsema: ‘We must remain vigilant’ | Abroad

“The attack today, but also the murder of the French teacher Samuel Paty on October 16, have a deep impact on the lives of many people, also here in Amsterdam. Such attacks affect the sense of security in the city, because an attack by an extremist is also not inconceivable here. Events require everyone to remain vigilant. ”

Three people were killed in the attack in Nice. According to AFP news agency, the culprit is a 21-year-old Tunisian named Brahim Aoussaoui. He is said to have arrived as a migrant on the Italian island of Lampedusa in September. After a period of quarantine, he was released with the message that he had to leave Italy. He arrived in France in October.

The French are not taking half measures. President Emmanuel Macron has scaled up the security of schools and places of worship such as churches and increased the number of military personnel in charge from 3,000 to 7,000.

‘Threat rating not raised’

In the Islamic world, the Netherlands is seen as a godless country. PVV leader Geert Wilders was recently printed large on the front page of a newspaper, next to Macron. The two would be ‘the face of hatred and racism in Europe’.

Mayor Halsema writes that she has been in contact with the police and the National Coordinator for Terrorism and Security (NCTV). “The attack does not currently give cause for the NCTV to change its threat assessment. This will be actively monitored in the coming period, the municipality and the police will be extra alert; officials and officers take to the streets to make contacts. We use our networks and monitor the emotions of the population. ”

Halsema has expressed her condolences to the mayors of Nice and Paris.

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