Chief of Amsterdam law enforcement announced on March 12 that six men and one woman had been arrested for preparing terrorist attacks on shops, Dutch News has reported. One of the male suspects is a relative of a participant in the 2004 bombings in Madrid, Spain that killed nearly 200 people.

The plot, which was foiled due to a tip provided by a source in Belgium, involved the detonation of explosives in three stores in Amsterdam. The timing of the plot was meant to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the attacks in Madrid.

Law enforcement officials were criticized for disclosing that the seven suspects originated from Morocco.

"Everyone knows that the Madrid train attacks were carried out by Moroccans. That makes it relevant. If we had not said it, an uncontrollable flow of rumours would have resulted," Police Commissioner Bernard Welten was quoted by Radio Netherlands as saying.

The seven who were arrested have been released and have not been charged with any crime. Welten says the seven individuals are no longer considered suspects in the case.