AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Dutch officials said Wednesday they will institute compulsory full-body scans at all airports in The Netherlands.
Dutch Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin said Wednesday he discussed the move with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano this week in the wake of a Christmas Day terrorism incident aboard an Amsterdam-to-Detroit flight, Radio Netherlands reported.
Ballin told the broadcaster the full-body scans will apply only to U.S.-bound travelers for now, but said he is aiming to introduce them for all-European travel as well, adding security concerns take an absolute priority over concerns the scanners violate passenger privacy.
Radio Netherlands said Dutch parliamentarians were in agreement over the new measure, with coalition Labor Party member of Parliament Ton Heerts saying, "Flying is voluntary and if a body scan is necessary for the protection of others, this interest takes priority over that of the individual."
Dutch airport authorities said had accused would-be bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab been subjected to a body scan, explosives he had taped to his leg may have been detected.
