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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