AMSTERDAM, 08/11/05 - The district court in Amsterdam ruled yesterday that a 17 year old boy from Almere had no terrorist plans for his home-made explosive. But he must undergo behavioural therapy at a youth institution.

Last March, the youngster made death threats by e-mail for MPs Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Geert Wilders. The court concluded yesterday that the 'threat of a terrorist crime' was proven regarding Wilders but not regarding Hirsi Ali. This was because Hirsi Ali did not receive the e-mail, therefore did not know about the threat and technically speaking could not have felt threatened.

After the youth was arrested in Amsterdam in July, the police in a search of the boy's bedroom found a cardboard rod filled with gunpowder and metal and material for a detonating device. The Public Prosecutor's Office (OM) concluded that the bomb was intended for an attack, but the court did not consider yesterday that this was proven.

Wilders received an e-mail from the boy in March which stated among other things that he, as "enemy of Islam," could expect an acquaintance with "the sword." Behavioural psychologists have established that the boy has an "obsessive identification" with Islam. He is also "fascinated by violence" and by "fire and fireworks." He converted to Islam in 2003.

The boy is in a state of diminished responsibility, the behavioural experts have concluded. Treatment in an institution is necessary to limit the danger of a repeat, they believe. The court accepted these conclusions. A time-period has not been set.

The prosecutor had demanded five months in a youth prison as well as placement in an institution. The court did not consider detention necessary, as the boy had already been in custody for four months.