Dutch prosecutors say Rotterdam synagogue blast suspects had terrorist intent

THE HAGUE, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Dutch prosecutors said on Monday that four suspects in an explosion at a synagogue in Rotterdam are being investigated for offenses carried out with terrorist intent.

The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) said the four male suspects - two aged 19 and two others aged 18 and 17 - appeared before an examining magistrate on Monday.

Police said the explosion occurred at around 3:40 a.m. local time (0140 GMT) on March 13 in the Dutch second-largest city, Rotterdam, when an explosive device detonated at the synagogue. The blast sparked a small fire, but no injuries were reported after it was extinguished. Four suspects were arrested shortly after the explosion.

In a statement, the OM said the suspects are believed to have caused an explosion, committed arson and attempted arson, all carried out with terrorist intent.

"The actions were aimed at instilling serious fear in a specific population group, in this case the Jewish community," the prosecution service said.

The examining magistrate ruled that all four suspects will remain in pre-trial detention for an additional 14 days while the investigation continues.

Separately, an explosion occurred overnight from Friday to Saturday last week at a Jewish school in Amsterdam, causing limited damage but no injuries. Police said it was a targeted attack against the Jewish community. Enditem