Member Since: 5/1/2007
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The Killers threatened by TERRORISTS
POLICE have arrested seven people after what they termed a "serious" threat of an attack on Amsterdam that caused the evacuation and closure of shops and the cancellation of a rock concert.
"Last night (Wednesday), around midnight, we received a telephone call warning that three men were planning to carry out an attack with explosives in Amsterdam," police commissioner Bernard Welten said.
The call came from Brussels and named home furnishing retailers Ikea among other large stores to be targeted.
Following up on the information, police prevented dozens of shops, a movie theatre and the Ikea store from opening their doors to the public "to prevent any explosives from entering," said Mr Welten.
During the course of the day, investigators arrested six men and a woman between the ages of 19 and 64, all with dual Dutch and Moroccan citizenship, said spokeswoman Hanane Lechkar.
One of those arrested was a relative of a suspect in the 2004 Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people and wounded more than 1800, she added.
Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen said Wednesday's call had warned of "an action with the aim of claiming casualties in busy places.
"We couldn't take any risks," he said about the closure of shops, adding that "we do not yet have sufficient information to lift" the security measures.
The officials would not say anything about the caller's motives or the veracity of the threat.
A police statement earlier said the threat, which it said "should be taken seriously" had caused an appearance by American band The Killers at the Heineken Music Hall to be postponed.
Dozens of shops remained closed throughout the day. Most had not yet opened their doors in the morning when the area was closed off. Several employees were evacuated.
Wim Kok, a spokesman for the office of the national anti-terrorism coordinator, said there was no reason to raise the terror alert.
Janna Langlere, a promoter for the Arena Boulevard affected by the closure, said the threat was received by Ikea in the morning, apparently aimed at all "megastores."
"This is a lost business day. We have had telephone calls about claims for damages (by shop owners), and it is being looked into."
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