THE HAGUE - An 18-year-old Dutch man who entered the Dutch parliament building last week armed with a knife is suspected of preparing a murder with a terrorist motive, according to the Dutch public prosecutor.

The suspect, whose target remains unknown, was arrested by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, the country's military police, in the building's lobby on Thursday, the prosecutor's office confirmed in a statement on Monday following the completion of an initial investigation.

The incident occurred when the intruder scaled the access gates, triggering an immediate response from security forces. As a result, the building housing the Dutch House of Representatives was temporarily placed on lockdown.