Amsterdam law firm Prakken d’Oliveira on Tuesday made a formal complaint about the secret service, saying it is tapping the phones of lawyers, which contravenes EU legislation.

The law firm represents a number of clients who are accused of terrorist offences and extremism. It is illegal to record phone conversations between lawyers and clients in ordinary criminal cases but not if national security is involved.

‘Dutch law allows [the AIVD] to be involved in every form of telecommunications tapping, including tapping lawyers,’ Michiel Pestman told the Parool. ‘Even if lawyers are no threat to public safety, the secret service can tap them.’

The law firm has made a formal complaint to home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk.