Aangehouden

Aangehouden is a Dutch term used to describe a person who has been detained by law enforcement. It is the past participle of the verb aanhouden, which can mean to detain, to stop, or to arrest. In a legal context, aangehouden refers to temporary custody during questioning or investigation by the police. The phrase is commonly used in news reporting: “De verdachte is aangehouden.”

In practice, detention can be used for short periods to gather information or to determine whether further action is warranted. Aangehouden does not automatically mean a formal arrest or a charge; it may be followed by arrest, or the person may be released if there is insufficient grounds.

The exact procedures and terminology vary by jurisdiction. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the authorities must respect legal rules about how long a person may be kept in custody, and longer detention typically requires judicial authorization or a formal decision such as pre-trial detention or arrest.

Etymology and related terms: the word is built from aan- (to) and houden (to hold). Related terms include aanhouding (detention), arresteren (to arrest), vasthouden (to hold someone for a period), and bewaring (pre-trial detention). The term is widely used in policing, media, and legal contexts to describe the status of a person in police custody.