At that time almost two-and-a-half years had passed since the Dutch Syrian scandal began to unfold.
According to revelations made by Dutch media, financial and material support had been given to war criminals and jihadist groups in so-called opposition-controlled areas in Syria.
In the parliamentary debate, Sadet Karabulut asked whether it was true that Rutte and his government had tried to stop a motion for an independent inquiry into the Netherlands’ support for opposition groups in Syria.
“Yes, of course … We have advised to vote against the motion,” Rutte replied, according to the protocol of the debate.
An investigation would be a threat to the Syrians in the opposition and might create tensions between the Netherlands and its allies, he said.