'Bomb' found in Dutch boy's room

A 17-year-old boy who stored home-made explosives at his parents' home has been arrested by Dutch police.

The boy was detained by Amsterdam police investigating the Hofstad group - an alleged Islamist militant network.

It is not clear whether he has ties with the group that is suspected of being linked to the killing of Dutch film-maker Theo van Gogh.

Prosecutors said a makeshift explosive device was found in the room of the boy, who has not been named.

They said the boy was active on the internet where he expressed radical beliefs.

National prosecutor's office spokesman Wim de Bruin said the boy was accused of "actions to prepare an attack, terrorist or otherwise".

Van Gogh trial

The office said in a statement that the device consisted of a tube filled with gun powder, small bullets and a detonation mechanism.

"The investigation is aimed at discovering if he had contact with the Hofstad network," it added.

More than a dozen suspected members of the network are awaiting trial on terrorism charges.

Mohammed Bouyeri, the man charged with the murder of Mr van Gogh, is accused of having close links with the Hofstad group.

This week he confessed to the killing at his trial in Amsterdam.