Good afternoon.
The new Brussels public prosecutor Julien Moinil – I say new, he's been in the job now just six months – has featured in the news a lot this week. Yesterday, he was giving startling updates about the investigation into the death of 11-year-old Fabian as a result of an encounter with the police in Ganshoren. Today, another headline-grabbing news conference.
In an unprecedented operation, 900 police officers from across Belgium flooded the notorious Peterbos district, which is plagued by organised crime and drug trafficking, yesterday, in a show of force. Today, Moinil confirmed that links between the drug activity there, and the gangs from the French city of Marseille are still active and strong, and he intends to do something about it.
Which, of course, is commendable and desperately needed. But, a huge show of force is one thing. Properly solving the problem is a whole other matter. That requires a coordinated strategy, cross-border cooperation, intelligence gathering, cooperation from the communities, a robust judicial process and sentencing, a clear public-facing communication effort, backing from all politicians, time and above all, resources.
Moinil says he has a plan, and he will elaborate on it in due course. But the issues from within the Belgian political and economic structures are almost as great as those from the criminal networks he is trying to dismantle.
And as that great political and strategic thinker Mike Tyson once said: "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face." The challenge for Mr Moinil in the coming months is to work out who is going to punch him first.
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1. ‘Anderlecht, my place to be’ – Drug links between Peterbos and Marseille confirmed
The Belgian authorities confirmed links between individuals, organisations and structures between Marseille and Peterbos in Anderlecht. Read more.
2. Death of 11-year-old Fabian – What we know so far
Three separate investigations into the case have been opened. Here is what is known so far. Read more.
3. No government, no plan: Brussels braces for credit downgrade
An in-depth look at Brussels’ debt shows how a severe S&P downgrade Friday could trigger a cash crunch — and a constitutional showdown. Read more.
4. Bruxit – over 40,000 residents left for Flanders and Wallonia last year
Both Flanders and Wallonia have been importing residents from Brussels. Read more.
5. Fewer terrorism and extremism threat alerts in Belgium
Last year, 213 alerts were found to be linked to terrorism or extremism. Read more.
6. Brussels asks EU for money for Schuman Square
The outgoing regional government reportedly requested funding to complete the project to make the area more pedestrian-friendly and green. Read more.
7. ‘Great fun to chat about books with her’ – Belgian bookshop singled out by Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa will be in Antwerp this week, as she is performing at the Sportpaleis venue three nights in a row: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Read more.
