Amsterdam's airport was said to have been chosen as a potential target

A court in Rotterdam ruled that there was no direct evidence that Samir Azzouz, 18, was preparing a crime.

However, he was sentenced to three months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm.

He is expected to be released shortly as he has already served 10 months in detention while on remand.

'Weak evidence'

Prosecutors had alleged that Azzouz, who was arrested in June last year, was a Muslim extremist.

But his lawyer said material found at his client's home could in no way have been used to cause explosions, and that the evidence against him was weak.

Dutch police said they had found detailed maps of the alleged targets and apparent bomb-making supplies during a raid of his home.

Police claimed the maps were marked with comments on security measures at the various sites.

Mr Azzouz, who was born in the Netherlands of Moroccan parents, was charged with attempted murder, manslaughter, arson and illegally possessing a firearm.