Suspect vehicle intercepted in Antwerp: suspect remains in detention but more in a terrorist context

Suspect vehicle intercepted in Antwerp: suspect remains in detention but more in a terrorist context

The Chamber of Indictment decided on Friday to detain Mohamed R., the Franco-Tunisian who had been speeding on the Meir street in Antwerp last month. The man remains under prosecution for possession of illegal weapons as well as for "attempted murder in a terrorist context".

On Thursday morning, 23 March, soldiers spotted a suspicious vehicle - a red Citroen with a French plate number - traveling at high speed on the Meir shopping street in Antwerp. Pedestrians were put at risk on several occasions. The driver then fled when the military units attempted to intercept him at a crossroads. He also skipped a red light and continued speeding.

The Antwerp police rapid response team was finally able to locate the vehicle in a parking lot on the Quai Saint-Michel (Sint-Michielskaai) and stopped the driver. Different weapons were discovered in the trunk of the vehicle: bladed weapons as well as a riot gun.

Mohamed R. was placed under arrest warrant the following day for attempted murder and attempted assault in a terrorist context and violations of arms legislation. Through his lawyer, Raoul Vermeulen, Mohamed R. denied having intended to run over pedestrians and indicated that he was visiting his girlfriend. As for the weapons found in the trunk, he wanted to sell them, according to his legal adviser. The Council Chamber has extended his detention, a decision against which the suspect has appealed.


The Brussels Times


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