Although the decision was not confirmed by government sources, the Telegraaf newspaper cited security sources who assured the attempt by mafia figures to kidnap and assassinate Rutte.

The intelligence services did not confirm the information, considering that ‘the security and protection situation’ should not be disclosed.

Specially trained police officers from the Royal and Diplomatic Security Service (DKDB) have been deployed to shadow Rutte.

The extra personal security in parliament was initially thought to have been due to the attendance of the (right-wing) Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders, who has had extra protection since the assassination of filmmaker Theo van Gogh 15 years ago.

Rutte cycled to work or walked without apparent security agents, but alarms went off after recent crimes on public figures such as journalist Peter de Vries and lawyer Derk Wiersum.

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