Fortuyn suspect's girlfriend arrested

BBC News ^ | September 4 2002

[knighthawk]

The girlfriend of the man charged with killing Dutch populist leader Pim Fortuyn has been arrested, police say.

Petra Lievense is being questioned about materials found at her home which could have been used to make a bomb, according to prosecutors. They say she appeared to have been planning a "serious offence".

She is not said to be suspected of involvement in the murder of Mr Fortuyn, who was shot dead in a car park in May.

Her boyfriend, animal rights activist Volkert van der Graaf, was arrested shortly after the shooting.

He has been on hunger strike in custody for the past two months to protest against his detention conditions.

Mr Fortuyn's party, the LPF, which supports anti-immigration policies, is now part of the Netherlands' coalition government.

Authorities took nearly four months to arrest Ms Lievense because they had been waiting for results from forensic testing, a prosecution spokesman said.

The tests confirmed that chemicals, laboratory equipment and a kitchen timer found during searches of the couple's home east of Amsterdam, where they lived with their two-year-old daughter, could be used to make an improvised explosive device, he said.

"She was detained because she was in possession of chemicals that could be used to start a fire or cause an explosion and was apparently planning a serious offence," a prosecution spokesman said.

Prosecutors have until Friday to file charges or release her.

Ms Lievense had already been questioned by police in May after Mr Van der Graaf was arrested over Mr Fortuyn's murder.

Mr Van der Graaf's lawyers say his girlfriend's arrest is simply a ploy by the authorities designed to put pressure on him.

[knighthawk]

Dutch ping.

Thanks to Shermy.

[facedown]

Authorities took nearly four months to arrest Ms Lievense because they had been waiting for results from forensic testing, a prosecution spokesman said.

What type of testing would take so long?

[Shermy]

Not that I have any sympathy for her, but just what "chemicals" were found - ordinary household supplies?

[monday]

"What type of testing would take so long?"

Testing of the government type. Apparently Dutch gov't employees are no more efficent than their US counterparts.

[knighthawk]

It was on a newsprogram, but they did not mention anything. They kept saying 'chemicals' without naming even one.

But according to the explosive-experts they could be used to start a fire or an explosion, according the police spokesman.

[facedown]

Testing of the government type.

LOL!

[templar]

The tests confirmed that chemicals, laboratory equipment and a kitchen timer found during searches of the couple's home east of Amsterdam, where they lived with their two-year-old daughter, could be used to make an improvised explosive device, he said.

Not to be defending her by any means, but what was found?

Almost any household has bomb making materials if the occupant is so inclined. Two very innocent chemicals (won't even mention them because they're so common probably everyone reading this has them), a beaker from a coffee machine ( actually any jar would work quite well), a mechanical egg timer, that's all it takes. Three other items most people wouldn't even consider chemicals, a few implements and junk from your garage, add a bit of know how and time on your hands and ... BINGO ... a genuine WMD.

I doubt that anyone in the industrialized world couldn't be charged with something like this if the authoriites were so inclined.

[xJones]

Sounds like the Dutch are getting tough. We need to know the chemicals. I have a kitchen timer and lighter fluid by my outside grill. The chemicals must have been very serious for this. Details, please, when you have them.

[knighthawk]

I will give you the details as soon as I can find something about it. I posted a request on the LPF-forum I post on.

[DUMBGRUNT]

"He has been on hunger strike in custody for the past two months to protest against his detention conditions. "

Bobby Sands went 66 days, to his death, J. Jackson went what, maybe two hours on his hunger strike.
Lets see how long this creep makes it?

[dixiechick2000]

I was going to comment on the chemicals found, but I see that's been done.;o)
I'll just say that if she was up to mischief, I'm glad she's been arrested.

"...their two-year-old daughter..."

Bless her little heart. This is where my sympathies lie.

[knighthawk]

Yes, she is in the middle of all this.

[VadeRetro]

"She was detained because she was in possession of chemicals that could be used to start a fire or cause an explosion and was apparently planning a serious offence," a prosecution spokesman said.

How apparent is apparent? Unspecified chemicals and a kitchen timer!

Much seems to hang upon the answer to "What chemicals?" Semtek? C4? TNT? ANFO? Dynamite? Gunpowder? Propane? Gasoline? Rubbing alcohol? Cornstarch?

[knighthawk]

I will post any information as soon as I get it.

[Incorrigible]

This is definitely very vague. It does sound like a ploy to put pressure on the boyfriend who's obviously not cooperating.

I still think there's a lot more to this story than meets the eye. It just doesn't make sense that Pim gets murdered for something his party didn't even take a position on.

Maybe he wore a fur wrap?

[MeekOneGOP]

[knighthawk]

The chemicals found where:

-hydrochloric acid
-Sulfar acid
-a jar filled with capsules (nothing specified)
-slices of lead
-a mix of sugar and potassium-chlorite (according the forensit insitute it serves onl as an explosive in combination with the sulfar acid)
-ammoniumnitrate
-tolueen

All in large quantities.

With some of these products it is prohibited to own them in such quantities in the Netherlands.

I guess they have been reading the Anarcook or something.

[knighthawk]

I think the reason for Fortuyns death is that he was killd by Volkert van der Graaf because Fortuyn wanted to stop giving foundations like he worked for government funding.

The enviromentalists where very afraid that if Fortuyn would become prime-minister, they would have to look ofr real work instead of 'protecting the earth'

[xJones]

Re your post #18, YES, she was planning something very serious. The girlfriend of the man that kiiled Pym Fortuyn....

These greens are so crazy that they're scary. It's certainly not just the Muslims to look out for. Thanks for reporting the chemicals.

We in America know a little bit about ammonium nitrate - "the sole source of the devastation was a single truck bomb consisting of 4, 800 pounds of ammonium nitrate ..". That was the Oklahoma City bombing. The other chemicals sound very, very bad. This woman is as nutty as her boyfriend.