Universiteit Leiden

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Suspect arrested in connection with internet threats

In the early morning of Wednesday 7 October, a 21-year-old man from Valkenburg (South Holland) was arrested on suspicion of issuing threats against Leiden University.

Police surveillance

The police in Leiden kept the buildings of the University in Leiden and The Hague under surveillance during Tuesday morning 6 October. This action was taken on account of a message on the 4chan internet forum, in which an unknown threat was issued to the University.

 

 

No evacuation

In consultation with the police, it was decided to provide extra surveillance at the University. The police monitored all buildings and checked all those entering the premises. Although the University and the police took the threat extremely seriously, it was decided that evacuation was not necessary. Teaching and research continued as normal. Just after mid-day the level of threat was assessed to have reduced, such that police presence at the University buildings was no longer needed. The police carried out regular patrols at the University buildings during the afternoon.

Cyber attack

Yesterday afternoon Leiden University was the target of a cyber attack, as a result of which almost all websites were inaccessible. The attack has now been resolved and the web pages are again online. It is as yet not clear whether the threat and the cyber attack are linked. The police are currently still investigating the situation.

Update October 9th, 16.30 hrs
The police have announced that a second threat, posted on the internet on Tuesday afternoon, was also written by the apprehended suspect.

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