Two Dutch teenagers arrested over suspected Russian espionage links

Two 17-year-old boys have been arrested in the Netherlands on suspicion of “state interference” in a case linked to Russian espionage, Dutch prosecutors have confirmed.

According to local media, the teenagers were allegedly in contact with pro-Russian hackers via the messaging app Telegram. One of the suspects is said to have walked past key international institutions in The Hague—including the offices of Europol, Eurojust, and the Canadian embassy—while carrying a “wi-fi sniffer,” a device capable of detecting and potentially intercepting wireless networks, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The two suspects appeared before a judge on September 25. One was ordered to remain in detention, while the other was released under strict home supervision ahead of a court hearing expected within two weeks.

The father of one of the boys told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that his son was arrested on September 22 while doing his homework. He said police informed him that the charges related to espionage and providing services to a foreign state. The teenager, described as computer-savvy with an interest in hacking, also held a part-time job at a local supermarket.

By Sabina Mammadli