Attack on Van Gogh: suspect was a friend of terrorist suspect

Three separate sources in journalism and at the police had already informed me that the perpetrator of the attack on Theo van Gogh was on an AIVD watch list. (The AIVD is the Dutch intelligence agency.) Initially I was uncomfortable to report this. Now, however, it has become known that the murderer was a friend of Samir Azzouz, an 18-year old terrorist suspect.

Please bear in mind that none of this, however likely I think it is, has been officially acknowledged. It does however, seem extremely likely, in which case I would like to ask an obvious question:

Why doesn't being on a terrorism watch list guarantee such people actually being watched?

Update 23.22: Secretary of Justice Piet-Hein Donner just acknowledge that there is 'a very serious possibility' the perpetrator was motivated by a 'radical Islamic background'.

Update 0.11: Secretary of Domestic Affairs Johan Remkes has acknowledged the suspect of the Van Gogh murder was indeed known by the AIVD. Some people will have some serious explaining to do in the forthcoming weeks.

22:22

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Shout for freedom: gather tonight @ 19.15, Magna Plaza, Amsterdam

Today, Theo van Gogh, a Dutch film director was murdered, very likely by an Islamic fanatic for criticizing this religion.
My sympathies are of course with Mr. Van Gogh's relatives and friends. But this is not just about him. This is a direct attack on the core of our society: freedom.
This fascism cannot stand. And it won't.
Tonight there will be a demonstration in the center of Amsterdam. It will be my first demonstration in 13 years, but I'll go.
This blog is read by over 600 people on a daily basis, half of them in the Netherlands. I expect as many of you to be there as is reasonably possible. And for this reason, and this reason alone:

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
(Thomas Paine)

Serve your country. I don't give a f**k about your ethnicity. If you were born in the same country as the guy who committed this atrocity, but live here and like this place, for all its flaws, be there as well. This is your country too.

We are all Dutch today.

Be there, tonight, at the Dam in Amsterdam, at 19.30. Some of us will meet at Magna Plaza at 19.15. If you want to join us, you can find a picture of me here. Although I probably won't be smiling.

Bring something to make a hell of a lot of noise.

Update 17.31 An excellent response from Little Green Footballs:

From John Stuart Mill's essay, On Liberty:

http://www.bartleby....

17:02

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