Families of Dutch soldiers deployed in Afghanistan have been receiving anonymous threats, a Dutch magazine for non-commissioned officers reports.

The magazine spoke to a warrant officer in charge of safety matters who said every week he receives reports from soldiers and their family members about threats being made by telephone, e-mail, chat and text message. The threats have led one family to go into hiding at an army barracks. Another family found a coffin placed on their doorstep.

A spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Defence said it is often unclear whether the threats are related to  deployment in Afghanistan or private matters. He added that many cases mentioned in the magazine are a few years old.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide