Since the introduction of the Zone 30 speed limit across the Brussels-Capital Region in January 2021, targeted threats against Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt have resulted in her receiving police protection.
About 2.5 years ago, explicit threats against Van den Brandt started appearing regularly on social media, her spokesperson Pieter-Jan Desmet told Belga News Agency.
"It started in response to the introduction of Zone 30 and the 40 kilometres of cycling lanes that were created. From then on, explicit threats started to appear on social media," said Desmet. "The police consequently decided that some of the threats were to be taken seriously."
The number grew in response to other policy decisions, such as the introduction of car-free neighbourhoods. Each time, the police evaluate whether the threat should be taken seriously or not, and to what extent it is necessary to take action.
111 Belgians under protection
Van den Brandt is not under permanent supervision but her home and offices have been the target of threats leading police to watch the two locations especially closely. Van den Brandt herself is still participating in the public space. "She follows the directions of the police but it is not something that makes her feel intimidated."
Based on recent figures from the National Crisis Centre, 111 Belgians are being given extra protection. As well as Van den Brandt, this concerns Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Federal Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne, Interior Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden and Walloon Climate Minister Philippe Henry, as well as several judges and lawyers.
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"As soon as we receive information that a person is being threatened for performing their duties, the police services and OCAD (Coordination Body for Threat Analysis) meet to assess the seriousness of the threat," said Antoine Iseux of the National Crisis Centre. "We then decide on specific security measures to be taken to ensure the safety of those persons."
According to Crisis Centre figures, 41 cases have already been added this year, compared to 65 in the full year 2022.
