Belgian authorities looking for more suspects after arrests

“In investigations like this you are always looking for people,” he said.

Wednesday’s raids in Brussels caused alarm across Belgium as police found Kalashnikovs, small firearms, police uniforms and detonators. The federal prosecutor’s office said in a statement that two Belgians were charged with “taking part in the activities of a terrorist group.”

Belgian media reported early Thursday that a new attack could happen soon as some people were still on the loose. The March 22, 2016, attacks at Zaventem airport and the Brussels metro which killed 32 people, took place a few days after a major arrest.

Prime Minister Charles Michel told legislators later Thursday that “we will closely follow the situation and based on the available information, the threat level can be reviewed.” It currently stands at the second-highest level.

Van der Sypt did not want to sound too alarmist. “You can never predict how people react. They are unpredictable,” said Van der Sypt. “Is it a scenario that we take into account? Yes. Do we have concrete indications for it? No.”

Belgium and France are both on high alert after a series of attacks in recent years.

Belgian media said the raids centred on a bikers group, the Kamikaze Riders, but Van der Sypt said the link was incidental.

“In this investigation, they have nothing to do with this,” Van der Sypt said.

Raf Casert, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Belgian authorities looking for more suspects after arrests

Our Community