Belgian Teen Arrested for Alleged Mosque Attack Plot

IQNA – A 14-year-old in Belgium, suspected of holding extreme far-right views, was detained on Thursday for allegedly planning a "terrorist" attack on a mosque, according to officials.

Prosecutors in Brussels stated that the suspect, believed to be a member of the far-right movement, intended to carry out the attack on Friday, DW reported.

Following a tip-off, authorities conducted a dawn raid at the teenager's home, seizing weapons and arresting the suspect. The statement indicated that the suspect was accused of "preparing a terrorist attack."

The teenager is expected to be placed in a youth detention facility. Belgium's Justice Minister, Paul Van Tigchelt, confirmed the suspect's age as 14.

The arrest comes as during a session with lawmakers, the justice minister addressed concerns about the high number of minors among the hundreds of individuals being monitored by Belgium's intelligence service for alleged radicalization.

The intelligence service's annual report, released this month, revealed that nearly one-third of those suspected of planning attacks in the past two years were under 18.

"The radicalization process of these young people is developing much more quickly than in the past," Van Tigchelt informed lawmakers, emphasizing worries about the "brainwashing" of minors on social media.

Currently, around 600 individuals are listed as extremists and are under surveillance by Belgian authorities.

On June 9, 2024, Belgium held national elections, resulting in a significant defeat for Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Within 24 hours, De Croo announced his resignation but has continued to serve as a caretaker prime minister until a new coalition is formed. The right-wing New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) emerged as the biggest winner in the elections, with the extreme-right pro-separatist Vlaams Belang coming in second.

Source: Agencies