After the explosion of news and analysis after the Van Gogh murder last year, things appeared to have calmed down a bit in the low countries, but interesting snippets of news do appear from time to time. Today it emerged that the arrests after the murder have in any case prevented a well-planned attempt on the life of Dutch parliamentarian Ayaan Hirsi Ali:

A spokesman for the public prosecutor said police seized a document at the work premises of terrorist suspect, Jermaine W., 17, indicating that the murder was planned for midnight when a large amount of fireworks would be set off and muffle the sounds of shooting.

The document gave a precise description of the whereabouts of Hirsi Ali, who went into hiding following the 2 November murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh. Justice officials are investigating whether the document's description matches one of Hirsi Ali's safe houses.

As of today, Ayaan remains in hiding at an undisclosed location and has not appeared in parliament. She is using the opportunity to write a book, in English.

UPDATE: Booker Rising thinks Hirsi Ali is hiding in the US.