The last three suspects arrested as part of the investigation into a potential New Year attack on the capital were released on Friday, the federal Prosecutor’s office announced on Friday afternoon. Three other suspects were released on Thursday afternoon.
These suspects were released after questioning. However, the investigating judge extended the custody for the three others by 24 hours, before deciding whether to place them under arrest. Friday afternoon’s decision seems to show that he did not place them under arrest.
The six people were arrested on Thursday morning, during searches in Molenbeek, Anderlecht, Laeken, and Leeuw-Saint-Pierre. These searches were part of an investigation into a potential New Year terrorist attack in the centre of Brussels. Two other people, Said Saouti and Mohamed Karay, were arrested as part of the investigation on Sunday. These two people, members of the Kamikaze Riders biker gang, were placed under arrest, and their custody was extended by a month on Thursday.
The federal Prosecutor’s office said there was evidence indicating a potential attack on different symbolic places in Brussels during the New Year’s celebrations. The searches found military uniforms.
Said Saouti was charged with masterminding a terrorist threat, participating in the activities of a terrorist group as a leader, and recruiting for lone or joint terrorist attacks. Mohamed Karay was charged with masterminding a terrorist threat, and participating in the activities of a terrorist group as a leader.
(Source: Belga)
