Arrest of a suspect in a terrorism case related to a member of the right-wing nationalist student association GNSV
A 24-year-old man was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, and it was found that he was linked to far-right nationalist groups in the Netherlands. According to the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), he was ready to carry out terrorist acts of violence and was in possession of firearms. During a search of his home in the village of Erp in North Brabant, police found illegal weapons and ammunition. On Friday, the investigating judge ordered his detention to be extended for at least another fourteen days.
The suspect is a member of the Geuzenbond organization, a far-right group targeting youth in the Netherlands and Belgium. Authorities say this group promotes an extremist ideology and aims to empower what is called the 'white race' through physical training. Investigations also revealed that the man belongs to a nationalist student association called the Grand Student Association of the Netherlands (GNSV) in Nijmegen, which is linked to far-right networks like Geuzenbond.
GNSV adopts the idea of "Greater Netherlands", which means uniting Flanders with the Netherlands, and describes itself as a student association with a conservative nationalist orientation. In a statement, its president Daan Meershoek announced the suspension of the membership of the detained young man, emphasizing that "violence has no place in democratic discourse", and stressed that the association seeks to achieve its social goals through peaceful means, systematically rejecting any form of political violence.
GNSV was founded in 2021 in the city of Leiden by members of Geuzenbond, and opened its branch in Nijmegen in 2023. From the beginning, its activities have sparked widespread controversy. Last year, protests erupted against its participation in the orientation market at Radboud University, leading to fights and arrests. Some of its members have also been linked to symbolic acts honoring far-right figures, including placing flowers on the grave of politician Hans Janmaat, who was convicted in the 1990s for inciting hatred against foreigners.
The association continues its cooperation with other nationalist groups in the Netherlands and Belgium. Last year, the far-right Belgian politician Dries Van Langenhove, who was previously convicted of inciting hatred, gave a speech at the "Great Netherlands Youth Conference," an event organized by GNSV in collaboration with Geuzenbond and NSV (the Flemish counterpart). Despite increasing criticism, Radboud University has so far allowed GNSV to participate in official student events, reaffirming its commitment to the legal framework. Its participation in the upcoming introduction week in Nijmegen has been approved again, but under strict supervision.