Open-source news on jihadism in Belgium

This section contains news from open sources on persons involved in jihadist activities or criminal activities satellite to jihadism in Belgium. The news selection is overseen by MjP Senior Advisor Jasmine Taleb-Carella, and MjP Directorate.

  • 30 September 2026

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    Fouad Belkacem, the former leader of Sharia4Belgium has requested asylum in Belgium

    Fouad Belkacem, the former leader of Sharia4Belgium — an Islamist extremist organization responsible for severe harm and loss of life — has requested asylum in Belgium even though he is scheduled for release in 2027 and is expected to be expelled to Morocco, the only country of which he is still a citizen.

    Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt stated she will “do everything possible” to expel him, stressing that anyone who attacks Belgian society and seeks to impose sharia “has no place here”.

    However, she also emphasized that Belgium is a state governed by the rule of law, and the asylum request must be evaluated independently by the CGRA, the national asylum authority.

    Belkacem’s asylum request is widely seen as an attempt to avoid deportation, according to the minister, who announced upcoming measures to counter procedural abuses from prisons and detention centers.

    Source: https://www.rtl.be/actu/belgique/justice/plus-rien-faire-en-belgique-lancien-dirigeant-de-sharia4belgium-fouad-belkacem/2026-09-30/article/801788

  • 23 September 2026

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    Belgian justice has postponed the hearing scheduled for 29 September regarding the possible release of Mohamed Bakkali

    Belgian justice has postponed the hearing scheduled for 29 September regarding the possible release of Mohamed Bakkali, the man described as the “logistician” of the November 13 Paris attacks. The delay aims to allow victims and survivors to submit victim forms and be heard by the court via videoconference, ensuring full confidentiality as required by Belgian law.

    Bakkali, imprisoned since 2015, was sentenced in France to 30 years in prison with a two‑thirds security period, but chose to serve his sentence in Belgium, where prison‑leave rules are more flexible. Under Belgian legislation, he has been eligible for electronic monitoring since August 2023 and has already received short release permissions.

    Victims express shock and incomprehension at the possibility of his release, calling it “quite crazy” and stressing the gravity of his role in the attacks. French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has also voiced strong concern, stating that allowing Bakkali to leave prison after only eleven years contradicts the spirit of French court decisions and urging reforms to European rules on mutual recognition of judicial decisions.

    Source: https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/13-novembre-la-justice-belge-va-auditionner-les-victimes-avant-la-possible-liberation-du-logisticien-des-attentats-23-09-2026-OGXRFOKVOJF6DPBG4SELW7GJ3A.php

  • 16 September 2026

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    Terrorist Mohamed Bakkali is now eligible for conditional release in Belgium

    Mohamed Bakkali – logistics coordinator of the November 13, 2015 Paris attacks, a violent extremist terrorist operation that caused massive loss of life – is now eligible for conditional release in Belgium, where he is serving his sentence.

    Although he was sentenced in France to 30 years in prison with a two‑thirds security period, Bakkali is detained in Ittre prison in Belgium under Belgian law. This means the French security period no longer applies. In Belgium, a prisoner may request release after one‑third of the sentence. Bakkali has therefore begun procedures to obtain electronic‑bracelet release.

    The French anti‑terrorism prosecutor had described him as the “superintendent of terror”.

    The hearing on Bakkali’s possible conditional release is scheduled for 29 September before the Belgian sentence‑implementation court in Ittre. He has already been granted six prison leaves of 36 hours each, a Belgian measure used to prepare electronic monitoring or conditional release.

    The Brussels prosecutor’s office has stated it is opposed to any conditional release for Bakkali.

    Source: https://www.franceinfo.fr/faits-divers/terrorisme/attaques-du-13-novembre-a-paris/proces-des-attentats-du-13-novembre-2015/la-justice-belge-veut-expliquer-aux-victimes-du-13-novembre-pourquoi-un-logisticien-des-attentats-peut-demander-sa-liberation-conditionnelle_8194895.html

  • 14 September 2026

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    Former terrorist convict Nizar Trabelsi is demanding more than 2 million euros in compensation from the Belgian state

    Nizar Trabelsi, a former professional footballer who was convicted for planning an attack on the Kleine-Brogel military base in Belgium, is now demanding more than 2 million euros in compensation from the Belgian state. His lawyer argues that Belgium is responsible for multiple violations, including his unlawful extradition to the United States and his subsequent detention in the Merksplas closed center for undocumented migrants after returning to Belgium.

    Trabelsi was extradited to the U.S. in 2013 despite a prohibition issued by the European Court of Human Rights. He was eventually acquitted in Washington in 2023, yet remained imprisoned there until Belgium was ordered by a Brussels appeals court to facilitate his return in early 2025.

    Upon his return in August 2025, he was immediately detained in Merksplas until his release in October 2025. His lawyer is now seeking compensation for the unlawful extradition (500,000 euros) and 15,000 euros per day for his detention between August and October 2025, along with additional damages for Belgium’s alleged failure to comply with court‑ordered obligations.

    The Belgian state disputes the claims, stating it fulfilled all required obligations. Belgium has already paid Trabelsi over 600,000 euros, according to a parliamentary response cited in the article. A ruling on the 2‑million‑euro claim is expected within a month.

    Source: https://www.nieuwsblad.be/binnenland/ex-profvoetballer-en-terrorist-nizar-trabelsi-eist-nog-eens-2-miljoen-euro-van-belgische-staat/161400688.html

  • 14 September 2026

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    Info released by OCAD on Belgian Foreign Terrorist Fighters

    According to OCAD, at present, some 150 Belgian Foreign Terrorist Fighters present in the jihadist conflict zone in Syria and Iraq are still being monitored in the Banque de données commune relative au terrorisme, à l’extrémisme et à la radicalisation (BDC T.E.R.).

    Among them, at least 54 are believed to have died; 96 others are believed to be potentially still alive, including: 12 men detained in prisons in Iraq (including 9 recently transferred from Syria); 4 men detained in prisons in Syria; 7 women in camps in Syria, accompanied by 9 children. For the others, about seventy Belgian FTFs, the information available is less precise. Some have died. Others are in Idlib province (in western Syria), where they have joined the ranks of other (extremist) groups or are now leading ordinary lives.

    Source: https://fr.linkedin.com/pulse/foreign-terrorist-fighters-belges-%C3%A9tat-des-lieux-ocad-ocam-cuta-ukbfe

  • 14 September 2026

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    Primary school teacher dismissed for refusing to remove her headscarf during working hours

    The Province of East Flanders has dismissed primary school teacher Hadija Amajoud for refusing to remove her headscarf during working hours.

    The dismissal follows a change in personnel regulations introduced on 27 June 2024, which imposed an explicit ban on visible religious or philosophical symbols for teachers starting 1 September 2024, except for teachers of religious education.

    She is believed to be the first teacher in Flanders dismissed explicitly for wearing a headscarf.

    Source: https://www.belganewsagency.eu/press-releases/36411/province-of-east-flanders-dismisses-teacher-who-refuses-to-remove-her-headscarf/

  • 01 September 2026

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    A Flemish province bans the wearing of the veil in all its provincial schools, including pupils

    The province of East Flanders has introduced a new rule banning all visible religious or ideological symbols – including the Islamic veil, kippa, crosses, and political insignia – in its nine provincial schools starting 1 September. The ban applies to both students and staff.

    The decision followed intense political debate. Although the governing coalition (N‑VA, CD&V, Vooruit) supported the measure, it initially failed due to abstentions from some socialist members. It was ultimately approved thanks to an alternative majority formed by N‑VA and the far‑right Vlaams Belang.

    Source: https://www.rtl.be/actu/regions/flandre/une-province-flamande-interdit-le-port-du-voile-dans-toutes-ses-ecoles/2026-09-01/article/798910

  • 01 September 2026

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    FEMYSO, an organisation close to the Muslim Brotherhood, accused of preparing an event with European funds

    FEMYSO, a European Muslim youth organization long suspected of links to the Muslim Brotherhood, was recently excluded from European Parliament activities. Despite this, the group continues its work and has promoted a seminar labeled as co‑funded by the EU. It is also preparing an anti‑Islamophobia event in Brussels, prompting criticism from scholars who question whether EU money is being used. It remains unclear whether the funding applies to the upcoming event or only to the earlier seminar.

    Source: https://www.lejdd.fr/Societe/bruxelles-une-organisation-proche-des-freres-musulmans-accusee-de-preparer-un-evenement-avec-des-fonds-europeens-182361

  • 01 September 2026

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    Prosecutor is seeking a 12‑month prison sentence for Husam Alfaqawi, a pro‑Palestinian activist accused of resisting police and attacking an officer during a demonstration

    The Brussels public prosecutor is seeking a 12‑month prison sentence for Husam Alfaqawi, a pro‑Palestinian activist accused of resisting police and attacking an officer during a demonstration. According to the prosecution, Alfaqawi encouraged other protesters to act more aggressively and ignored repeated police orders. In a second incident, he allegedly jumped toward an inspector’s face, though the officer managed to avoid the blow.

    Alfaqawi’s defense denies all accusations, arguing that he was an active but non‑violent participant and that he was targeted by police. His lawyer also highlights his post‑traumatic stress and anxiety, linked to the situation of his family in Gaza.

    Source: https://www.bruzz.be/actua/justitie/parket-eist-12-maanden-cel-tegen-pro-palestijnse-activist-die-agent-aanviel-2026-09-01

  • 30 August 2026

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    Belgian authorities discovered a WhatsApp group called “Traders of Greater Europe” during a terror‑financing investigation

    A major investigation by European broadcasters, including the BBC, has uncovered a vast money‑laundering network operating through a WhatsApp group called “Traders of Greater Europe”. The group had 532 members and exchanged more than 82,000 messages between February and December 2022, coordinating cash transfers worth hundreds of millions of euros across the world.

    The system relied on hawala, which leaves no electronic or paper trail. While hawala can be used legitimately, investigators found it was also being used to fund organised crime, drug trafficking, people smuggling, and even Islamic State militants in Syria.

    Belgian authorities discovered the WhatsApp group during a terror‑financing investigation. On the phone of a key suspect, Abu Adam, they found the chat along with 6,000 photos of €5 notes and 6,000 identity cards, suggesting at least 12,000 transactions had been processed.

    Further investigations across Europe revealed hawala networks linked to human trafficking, torture, and extortion, including cases in Austria where smugglers used violence and threats to force families to send additional payments through hawala channels.

    Law‑enforcement officials describe hawala as a primary money‑laundering channel for organised crime, capable of moving huge sums globally while evading traditional banking oversight.

    Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgk57lg7566o

  • 13 August 2026

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    Antwerp influencer sentenced to 40 months in prison for inciting terrorism on TikTok

    An Antwerp court sentenced a social-media influencer to 40 months in prison for inciting terrorism through TikTok. The defendant used his online reach to distribute extremist content and messages that, according to the court, encouraged terrorist violence.

    The case highlights Belgian authorities’ growing focus on online radicalisation and jihadist propaganda on mainstream social-media platforms such as TikTok, rather than only on encrypted channels such as Telegram.

    Source: https://vrtnws.be/p.QAX7BYJ88

  • 05 August 2026

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    Belgian woman arrested over alleged terrorist attack plot in Paris

    A Belgian woman was arrested in connection with an alleged terrorist attack plot targeting Paris. According to the report, investigators suspect she was involved in preparations for an attack with an Islamist/jihadist motivation. The case has a clear cross-border dimension, involving a Belgian suspect and a potential target in France, and remains under judicial investigation.

    Source: https://www.bruxellestoday.be/belgique/belge-arretee-projet-attentat-paris.html

  • 28 July 2026

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    529 Extremists on Belgium’s Terrorism Watchlist, vast majority linked to jihadism

    Belgium currently has 529 entities — individuals or groups — on its terrorism and extremism watchlist, with jihadism accounting for by far the largest category. According to OCAD spokesperson Laura Luyten, 446 of the 529 entities are monitored because of links to jihadism. A further 47 are linked to right-wing extremism, 12 to the anti-establishment movement and 10 to left-wing extremism, alongside several smaller categories.

    OCAD also reports a rise in the number of minors appearing on the list. The figures underline that jihadism remains the dominant extremist threat category monitored by Belgian security authorities.

    Source: https://www.hln.be/binnenland/529-extremisten-op-terrorismelijst-in-ons-land-en-aantal-minderjarigen-neemt-toe~a8ae5955/

  • 01 July 2026

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    Liège Synagogue attack linked to international terror campaign; young Belgian woman allegedly recruited

    The March 2026 attack on a synagogue in Liège is believed to have marked the beginning of a broader international campaign targeting Jewish sites and attributed to HAYI (Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia). The subsequent investigation uncovered indications that the network sought to recruit young people locally to support or carry out attacks.

    According to Het Nieuwsblad, a young Belgian woman was also allegedly recruited in connection with the network, highlighting HAYI’s apparent efforts to recruit individuals in Belgium as part of its wider European campaign. Authorities continue to investigate the group, including its organisation, recruitment methods and possible external links.

    Source: www.nieuwsblad.be/crimi/hoe-aanslag-op-luikse-synagoge-de-start-bleek-van-een-internationale-terreurcampagne-ook-jonge-belgische-vrouw-geronseld/158041511.html

  • 30 June 2026

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    The criminal court of Mechelen convicted five men for spreading IS propaganda online

    The criminal court of Mechelen convicted five men who were members of two Telegram groups for spreading terrorist propaganda, after the groups massively shared videos of beheadings and other content linked to the Islamic State (IS).

    On May 30, 2024, Salah A. decided to create his own group called “The Islamic Emirates of the Scheldt Country”. He called himself the group’s “emir” and shared terrorist propaganda, including videos of executions. “The objective was clear: to install a Salafist society and use violence to impose its ideologies,” the federal prosecutor said.

    According to the federal prosecutor’s office, the Telegram groups were linked to the Sharia4Belgium movement, a jihadist organisation recognised as terrorist by the Belgian courts. “They reorganised several times, creating a new group called ‘The Islamist Emirates of the Meuse Country’, but after each restructuring, these five people continued to be part of the group and to seek each other out.”

    The reports of forensic experts indicate that there is an increased risk of violent recidivism among the five men. Two leaders were sentenced to seven years in prison, the others to sentences of up to four years.

    Source: https://www.7sur7.be/faits-divers/cinq-hommes-condamnes-pour-diffusion-de-propagande-de-lei-en-ligne-jusqua-sept-ans-de-prison~ad61d2a8/

  • 25 June 2026

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  • 12 June 2026

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    A 22-year-old radicalised Islamist from Verviers, who was already sentenced to five years in prison, is on trial again in Verviers

    In April 2024, a 22-year-old man from Verviers was sentenced to five years in prison, half of which was suspended, for participating in a radical Islamist group and learning how to prepare for an attack. Among the conditions for his release was the condition that he was not to frequent Islamic circles or have contact with people who had already been convicted. This was one of the many conditions that he did not respect. This led to his return to prison on 3 June.

    He was detained while wearing the required beard for Islamic circles and appeared before the criminal court, where the public prosecutor demanded the revocation of his suspended sentence.

    It is well established that he has started associating with radical Islamists again, as he was filmed meeting a man who had already been convicted of terrorist offences. He was spotted during another meeting with a radicalised man right next to the Palais de Justice.

    There is also a photo of him with two men raising their fingers to the sky — a well-known sign among terrorists. It was also noted that he had received calls from prison from radicalised individuals and that a copy of Sharia law was found at his home. The prosecutor also mentioned his ‘religious’ marriage to a French woman suspected of radicalism, with whom he has a four-month-old child. However, both were turned away from both France and Belgium when they tried to meet. The prosecutor therefore called for the revocation of the suspended sentence, citing the fact that no risks should be taken with this type of individual who had already been given a chance.

    Source: https://www.vedia.be/info/un-islamiste-radicalise-deja-condamne-5-ans-de-prison-nouveau-juge-verviers/213025

  • 12 June 2026

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    Ruslan Meyriev convicted by Antwerp Court for terrorism

    The Antwerp court has sentenced Ruslan Meyriev, a Finnish resident of Caucasian origin, to twelve years in prison for financing terrorism and planning explosive attacks linked to the Islamic State.

    Meyriev is a 42-year-old man of Caucasian origin from Vladikavkaz in Ingushetia who resides in Finland. He was previously arrested in Sweden in August 2024. Following his arrest, an international arrest warrant was executed and he was transferred to the Belgian authorities to stand trial, which concluded this week.

    The judicial investigation revealed a complex terrorist network operating across Europe and neighbouring regions, which was subsequently dismantled. The investigation revealed that the network was not an isolated group, but rather an infrastructure capable of directing operational plans and providing financial resources for international attacks.

    Source: https://ameve.eu/terrorismo-12-anni-per-meyriev-smantellata-la-rete-dellisis/

  • 09 June 2026

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    Seven members of major Islamic State financing network convicted

    On 9 June 2026, seven suspects have been convicted in Belgium, receiving prison sentences ranging from 5 to 15 years, alongside substantial financial penalties. The network was network primarily composed of individuals of Chechen origin residing in Europe. The network was found to be deeply radicalised and actively engaged in supporting and financing the activities of the so-called Islamic State terrorist organisation.

    The targeted network was involved in financing the release of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) detained in conflict zones such as Syria, as well as providing financial support to members of the so-called Islamic State in Syria and Central Asia. Additionally, the network funded the procurement of weapons and CBRN-E precursors (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives).

    Soure: https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/seven-members-of-major-islamic-state-financing-network-convicted

  • 09 June 2026

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  • 08 June 2026

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    Court orders state to repatriate Belgian woman and her child detained in Syria

    On 8 June, the Brussels Court of Appeal ordered the Belgian state to “take the necessary measures” to enable a Belgian mother and her minor daughter, who are currently detained in the al-Roj camp in Syria, “to cross the border and come to Belgium”.

    The woman had travelled to Turkey in 2014, where she married before travelling to Syria with her husband. Since 2017, she and her now 10-year-old daughter have been detained in the al-Roj camp. Just over a year ago, they asked Belgium to facilitate their repatriation.

    The Belgian state had argued that organising a repatriation had become impossible due to the security situation in Syria and the absence of diplomatic representatives. However, the court maintains that the state remains obliged “to take the measures required by its obligation not to deny them the right of access to Belgium”.

    The court has ordered the state to introduce “appropriate procedures” within one month to allow the two individuals concerned to return to Belgium. In the event of non-compliance, a penalty payment of 2,500 euros per day will be imposed, up to a maximum of 50,000 euros.

    Source: https://www.belganewsagency.eu/court-orders-state-to-repatriate-belgian-woman-and-her-child-detained-in-syria

  • 20 May 2026

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    Fouad Bennane convicted again for terrorism

    Fouad Bennane was convicted again for terrorism in the Arlon court on May 20. The federal public prosecutor’s office demanded seven years in prison, the judges follow suit.

    From his cell, Bennane recorded a video swearing allegiance to Islamic State. In an audio message he talked about plans to commit an attack in Belgium after his prison sentence and travel to the Sahel. Still from prison, Bennane was able to gather followers and recruit for jihad, especially on TikTok, but also on other social media. He introduced himself as the right-hand man of an emir.

    When his cell phone was taken away for a judicial investigation, he continued on another device. A total of three were seized in 2024. According to the court, Bennane spread radical messages “among his many followers, including minors”. His latest post has been viewed more than 7,000 times. “A real recruitment campaign, mainly aimed at young women.”

    In 2018, shortly after Benjamin Herman murdered two police officers and a student in Liège on behalf of IS, Bennane was referred to as the one who had radicalized Herman in jail.

    Source: https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/acht-jaar-geleden-dreigde-hij-tegen-de-morgen-met-een-aanslag-intussen-rekruteerde-hij-op-tiktok-vanuit-de-cel~b15cda66/

  • 20 May 2026

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    Fatima C. sentenced to five years in prison for membership of a terrorist organization

    The court in Brussels has sentenced Syria fighter Fatima C. to five years in prison, of which 40 months were effective. Both the federal public prosecutor’s office and its lawyers had agreed to a suspended sentence, but the court took a heavy toll on the facts and considered effective punishment necessary.

    Fatima C. left for Syria with her family in 2013, at the age of eighteen. She ended up with the French militia leader Omar Diaby and married the French fighter Kamal Yachou.

    Source: https://www.bruzz.be/actua/justitie/brusselse-syriestrijdster-veroordeeld-tot-vijf-jaar-cel-2026-05-20

  • 20 May 2026

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    Brussels Criminal Enforcement Court granted penitentiary leave to terrorist Mohamed Bakkali

    Mohamed Bakkali (39), convicted in France for his part in the attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015, receives penitentiary leave six times from the Brussels Criminal Enforcement Court (SURB).

    In particular, Bakkali was sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Paris assize court for his part in the attacks in Paris, of which he must serve at least two-thirds. The 39-year-old Belgian from Verviers was the logistical mastermind behind the attacks, as he arranged shelters and cars for the attackers. The man had previously been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his part in the failed attack on a Thalys.

    In September 2022, the French anti-terrorism market decided to bring the two sentences together up to the legal maximum of thirty years. After his convictions in France, Bakkali was transferred to Belgium. As a result, he falls under Belgian criminal enforcement legislation and can claim conditional release after just one third of his sentence.

    As of July 2025, the man was granted an exit permit five times. This year he applied for penitentiary leave. On May 11, the sentencing court approved this, despite a negative advice from the Public Prosecution Service. Bakkali can now request 36 hours of leave six times.

    According to the SURB, Bakkali has taken sufficient steps to find work and housing and has behaved calmly and respectfully in prison. He also met several victims, which indicates his will to restore his bond with society. There would also be no reason to fear that he would harass the victims.

    Source: https://www.hln.be/binnenland/terrorist-mohamed-bakkali-39-veroordeeld-tot-30-jaar-cel-voor-de-aanslagen-in-parijs-van-2015-krijgt-penitentiair-verlof~ad6c563b/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F

  • 21 April 2026

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    Woman foreign fighter faces up to three years in prison for belonging to a terrorist organisation

    A woman who returned from Syria on February 7 and was taken into custody in Lantin prison faces three years in prison for membership of a terrorist organization.

    Fatima C. left for Syria with her family in 2013, at the age of eighteen, in the wake of the infamous Brussels convert Jean-Louis Denis, alias Jean-Louis Le Soumis. In addition to Fatima C., her father Mohammed C., mother Maria G., brother Rachid and a sixteen-year-old sister also left for Syria.

    That sixteen-year-old sister was married off in Syria to a local emir. When the girl was heavily pregnant, her mother returned to Belgium with her, but after giving birth, the two again made plans to return to Syria with the baby and yet another daughter. Before that happened, the police were able to arrest them in January 2016.

    In 2017, all adult members of the family were sentenced to prison terms by the criminal court. Fatima C. was still in Syria at the time and was therefore sentenced in absentia to five years for membership of a terrorist organization. The woman then filed an opposition to that verdict.

    According to the prosecutor’s office, the woman left Syria at the beginning of this year. She also indicated that she wanted to return to Belgium. “She was deported to Belgium by Turkish authorities on February 7, 2026 and taken into custody in Lantin prison”, the prosecutor’s office added.

    Sources: https://www.hln.be/brussel/teruggekeerde-syriestrijdster-riskeert-jarenlange-celstraf~a9c174959/ and https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2026/02/11/brussels-jihadi-detained-on-her-return-to-belgium/

  • 20 April 2026

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    Six people (three former soldiers) brought to justice for terrorist offences

    The federal prosecutor’s office requested, before an Antwerp court, suspended prison sentences for six people for having participated in discussion groups discussing armed jihad and the establishment of Sharia law in Belgium. They wanted to create a private army. The defendants, three of whom worked for the Defense at the time, reject these accusations and request their acquittal.

    The case was opened after military intelligence reported that OS (25) and TV (24) had become radicalized. The investigation then also implicated NZ (22 years old), also a soldier, as well as three other people. According to the federal prosecutor, the main actors were OS and the Dutchman SS, who is not appearing before the Antwerp court.

    “In August 2022, OS and SS for the first time put forward the idea of creating a private army and collecting weapons for jihad”, explained the federal prosecutor. At the end of 2022, OS opened the “Jihad El Fath” discussion group on the Telegram and WhatsApp platforms. Members spoke about Islam, armed jihad, the establishment of Sharia law and the execution of “disbelievers”.

    Source: https://www.sudinfo.be/id1140847/article/2026-04-20/djihad-arme-instauration-de-la-charia-en-belgique-danciens-militaires-devant-la

  • 15 April 2026

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    47-year-old Fouad Bennane pledged allegiance to Islamic State from his cell in Arlon prison

    Fouad Bennane, a 47-year-old man from Oupeye, has once again found the spotlight, having pledged allegiance to the Islamic State from his Arlon prison cell while serving a sentence for common crimes.

    Using a mobile phone, he set up a Telegram channel and is alleged to have sought out a series of extremely violent Salafist videos, including beheadings, stonings, and other summary executions carried out by ISIS. He also shared videos of Salafist sermons inciting violence against ‘infidels’. In a fit of rage, he allegedly created Facebook and TikTok pages under an Islamic name, where he shared Islamic State propaganda and indoctrinated minors in particular.

    By the time his mobile phone was confiscated, he already had several hundred followers. In messages exchanged with people to whom he presented himself as a religious scholar and right-hand man to ISIS leaders, he allegedly provided the contact details of individuals who helped sympathisers travel to territories where the Islamic State is still active. In spring 2024, he dressed in traditional clothing in his cell and filmed himself reciting the words required to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State.

    A hearing on the case is scheduled for 22 April at the Arlon Criminal Court.

    Fouad Bennane is already known to the judicial system. Following the attack in Liège on 29 May 2018, in which two police officers and a student lost their lives, he was suspected of radicalising the attacker, Benjamin Herman. Although investigations subsequently refuted this accusation, Fouad B. was convicted after proclaiming himself ‘a leading figure of the Islamic State’ in an interview with a Flemish journalist. “It’s about to explode! There will be attacks in Liège”. These statements were classified as terrorist threats and led to him being sentenced to four years in prison at the end of 2019. Subsequently convicted of domestic violence and rape, he was imprisoned in Arlon Prison between 2023 and 2024, when State Security alerted the federal prosecutor’s office.

    Source: https://www.sudinfo.be/id1137944/article/2026-04-15/il-se-convertit-letat-islamique-en-video-depuis-la-prison-darlon-ca-va-faire

  • 06 April 2026

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    Hervé Bayingana Muhirwa released after serving his full sentence

    Hervé Bayingana Muhirwa, sentenced to 10 years in prison for participation in the activities of a terrorist group during the trial of the Brussels attacks, was released after serving his full sentence. The 40-year-old man now wishes to reintegrate into society while remaining discreet.

    Also accused of murders and attempted murders in a terrorist context, Hervé Bayingana Muhirwa was acquitted of these charges. Only the charge of participation in the activities of a terrorist group was retained against the man who harbored Mohammed Abrini and Osama Krayem – two members of the terrorist cell who ultimately refrained from detonating themselves at Zaventem and Maelbeek on March 22, 2016.

    Source: https://www.lesoir.be/739164/article/2026-04-06/attentats-de-bruxelles-herve-bayingana-muhirwa-condamne-10-ans-de-prison-est

  • 25 March 2026

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    Minors Arrested Following a Car Fire in Antwerp’s Jewish Quarter Have Been Sent to a Care Home

    The Anversa Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced that the two minors arrested following the arson attack on a car in Antwerp’s Jewish quarter have been sent to a care home. According to the lawyer representing one of the 16-year-olds, the boys did not realise what they were doing; they had no terrorist motives and no ideological reasons. According to the lawyer, someone had taken advantage of vulnerable young people, using them as cannon fodder.

    Source: https://www.hln.be/antwerpen/jongens-die-auto-in-brand-staken-geplaatst-in-instelling-geen-extremisten-maar-kanonnenvlees~a984ee24/

  • 24 March 2026

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    Arson Attack Targets Jewish District in Antwerp; Videos Circulate on Antisemitic Terror-Linked Telegram Channel

    Another arson attack has targeted the Jewish district in Antwerp, with a vehicle deliberately set on fire. This marks yet another incident in this sensitive area. Footage of the attack was quickly shared on a Telegram channel associated with a terrorist group, prompting concerns about potential ideological motivations and online coordination.

    Belgian police later arrested two minors in connection with the incident. They are expected to appear before a judge, and the public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into intentional arson. The authorities are also examining whether the attack is connected to Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya (HAYI).

    Sources: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/europe-antisemitism-attacks-group-threatens-us-israel-interests-worldwide/ and https://www.hbvl.be/binnenland/beelden-tonen-hoe-minderjarigen-auto-in-brand-steken-vlakbij-joodse-wijk-antisemitische-terreurgroep-eist-aanslag-op-parket-opent-onderzoek/144360336.html

  • 11 March 2026

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    Belgium Pays Over €600,000 in Compensation to Convicted Terrorist Nizar Trabelsi

    Belgium has paid more than €600,000 in damages and penalties to Nizar Trabelsi, a Tunisian former footballer convicted in Belgium for plotting an attack against the Kleine-Brogel Air Base and linked to al-Qaeda. The compensation follows legal rulings related to Belgium’s 2013 extradition of Trabelsi to the United States despite a suspension order from the European Court of Human Rights. Trabelsi’s rights, as he faced the possibility of a life sentence without parole in the U.S. courts. The compensation reflects damages awarded following that judgment.

    Source: https://www.21news.be/nizar-trabelsi-la-belgique-condamnee-a-plus-de-600-000-euros-dindemnites/

  • 09 March 2026

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    Explosion Damages Synagogue in Liège in Suspected Anti-Semitic Attack

    An explosion damaged the entrance of a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, on 9 March 2026, causing material damage but no injuries. Local authorities and the city’s mayor described the incident as an “extremely violent act of antisemitism.” The case is being investigated by the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office, which handles terrorism-related cases.

    While no suspects have been publicly identified in Belgium, the attack occurred shortly before a similar incident targeting a synagogue in Rotterdam, where four teenagers aged 17–19 were later arrested by Dutch authorities after police stopped a suspicious vehicle near another synagogue. Authorities are examining whether the incidents targeting Jewish sites in Belgium and the Netherlands could be connected.

    Social media has suddenly been flooded with posts from a previously unknown group: the Movement of the Righteous. In a series of videos, this group has claimed responsibility for attacks on various Jewish targets in Belgium and the Netherlands.

    Sources: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2026/03/14/_beweging-van-de-rechtvaardigen-eist-anti-joodse-aanslagen-op-in/ and https://www.juedische-allgemeine.de/juedische-welt/steckt-der-iran-hinter-dem-terroranschlag-von-luettich/

  • 13 February 2026

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    The European Court of Human Rights Upholds Belgium’s Refusal to Issue Passport on National Security Grounds in Terrorism-Linked Case

    The European Court of Human Rights ruled in Cimpaka Kapeta v. Belgium that Belgium did not violate the European Convention on Human Rights when it refused to issue a passport to a Belgian national convicted of terrorism-related offences. The European Court of Human Rights noted that the applicant had previously been convicted for travelling to Syria and joining the jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra between December 2013 and March 2014.

    The refusal was based on a State Security (VSSE) note identifying him as a person at risk of returning to Syria, as well as a police visit to his home during which a Daesh flag was discovered. The Court held that these elements constituted relevant and sufficient reasons linked to national security concerns, and concluded that the refusal to issue a passport was proportionate and did not violate the Convention.

    Source: https://www.echrcaselaw.com/en/echr-decisions/ecthr-cimpaka-kapeta-v-belgium-refusal-to-issue-passport-on-national-security-and-terrorism-grounds-no-violation-of-article-2-p4-and-article-13-echr/

  • 11 February 2026

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    Brussels Foreign Fighter Arrested Upon Return to Belgium

    Belgian authorities arrested a female Syrian foreign fighter from Brussels upon her return to Belgium. The woman had previously travelled to Syria and was suspected of involvement with jihadist groups active in the conflict zone. Upon arrival, she was detained for questioning in connection with terrorism-related offences.

    Belgian prosecutors are investigating her role during her time in Syria, including potential participation in a terrorist organisation. The case forms part of Belgium’s continued judicial handling of returnees from Syria and Iraq, where authorities typically pursue prosecution under participation-in-a-terrorist-group provisions.

    Source: https://www.hln.be/brussel/brusselse-syriestrijdster-opgepakt-bij-terugkeer-naar-belgie~a94abc86/

  • 09 February 2026

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    Al-Qaida Suspect from Koksijde Appears Before Bruges Court 20 Years After Bomb Investigation

    A 40-year-old man from Koksijde has appeared before the Bruges criminal court nearly two decades after being linked to an al-Qaida-related bomb investigation. The case centres on forensic evidence showing that his fingerprint was found on adhesive tape used in the construction of an improvised explosive device.

    The prosecution alleges that the man was connected to extremist networks active in the early 2000s and that he played a role in preparing or facilitating terrorist activity. The delayed trial reportedly follows long-standing international investigations and procedural developments. The court must now assess the evidentiary value of the forensic link and determine whether it establishes participation in terrorist offences.

    Source: https://www.hln.be/koksijde/zijn-vingerafdruk-zat-op-tape-rond-bom-waarom-vermeende-al-qaida-terrorist-40-uit-koksijde-na-20-jaar-terechtstaat-in-brugge~a146f682/

  • 23 January 2026

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    Belgian Woman Convicted of Terrorism Sues State to Repatriate from Syrian Camp al-Hawl with Daughter

    A 32-year-old Belgian woman, previously sentenced to five years in prison for participation in terrorist activities linked to ISIS, has filed a legal complaint against the Belgian state seeking a temporary travel document to return from a Kurdish detention camp in Syria. She wants to serve her sentence in Belgium. Her 10-year-old daughter remains detained with her in the camp. The child’s grandmother appeared before a Brussels court, urging authorities to repatriate the girl from what she described as the “Syrian hell.” The case comes amid renewed debate over European responsibility for ISIS detainees, following Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s call for European states to repatriate their nationals and prosecute them domestically. A court ruling in Belgium is expected in the coming weeks.

    Source: https://www.hln.be/binnenland/alles-op-alles-om-met-dochter-weg-te-raken-uit-syrische-hel-vrouw-die-veroordeeld-werd-voor-terrorisme-klaagt-belgische-staat-aan~aacc3b1f/

  • 23 January 2026

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    Six People Stabbed at Pro-Kurdish Demonstration in Antwerp

    Six people were stabbed on Thursday evening at Operaplein in central Antwerp following a pro-Kurdish demonstration attended by approximately 200–300 participants. The demonstration had started peacefully, with participants waving Kurdish and PKK flags. Violence erupted shortly after the event ended around 19:20. Four suspects were arrested shortly after the incident; their homes were searched, and they have been questioned by police. Belgian police have launched a full investigation, including forensic examination of the scene, CCTV analysis, and review of social media footage.

    Source: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2026/01/23/6-people-stabbed-at-pro-kurdish-demonstration-in-antwerp/

  • 12 January 2026

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    Belgian Local Councillor Expresses Support for Long-Term Goal of Islamic State

    Radouane Aharouch, a Belgian municipal councillor representing the Islamic Party, stated in a media interview that he supports the long-term establishment of an Islamic state in Belgium governed by Sharia law. He described the objective as a gradual process that could take decades.

    Source: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420769

  • 24 December 2025

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    Former ISIS Convict from Molenbeek Arrested During Holiday in Senegal

    A 32-year-old former ISIS convict from Molenbeek has been arrested in Senegal while on holiday. The man had previously been convicted in Belgium for terrorism-related offences linked to the Islamic State. Authorities detained him abroad, reportedly in coordination with Belgian services. Belgian authorities are expected to clarify the legal basis of the detention and whether extradition or further prosecution will follow.

    Source: https://www.hln.be/nieuws/voormalig-is-terrorist-32-uit-molenbeek-opgepakt-tijdens-vakantie-in-senegal~acfa3921/

  • 18 December 2025

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    Islamic State Calls for Attacks in Belgium, Terrorism Researcher Warns

    The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) has published a propaganda message calling on supporters in Belgium, including Muslim refugees, to carry out attacks. The appeal was disseminated through IS-linked media channels and urges sympathisers to act locally. According to terrorism experts, the message fits within IS’s broader strategy of encouraging lone-actor violence in Europe.

    Sources: https://www.hln.be/binnenland/islamitische-staat-roept-op-tot-aanslagen-in-belgie~a84cb5ff/ and https://www.demorgen.be/snelnieuws/is-roept-moslimvluchtelingen-in-belgie-op-nieuwe-aanvallen-te-plegen-waarschuwt-terreuronderzoeker~b234be87/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

  • 14 November 2025

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    Belgian State Ordered to Pay €350,000 to al-Qaeda Convict Nizar Trabelsi

    A Belgian court ruled that the Belgian state must pay more than €350,000 in compensation to Nizar Trabelsi, a former Al-Qaeda terrorist convicted in Belgium for plotting an attack on a U.S. military base. The court found that the payments were necessary to uphold the rule of law after authorities violated legal obligations during Trabelsi’s detention and extradition procedures.

    Although Trabelsi had been convicted of terrorism offences, the tribunal stated that respecting fundamental legal safeguards remains essential, even in cases involving terrorism suspects. The ruling highlights the balance between national security measures and the protection of legal rights within the Belgian justice system.

    Source: https://www.21news.be/letat-belge-a-verse-plus-de-350-000-euros-a-nizar-trabelsi-le-tribunal-estime-ces-sommes-necessaires-pour-proteger-letat-de-droit/

  • 14 November 2025

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    Brussels Court Convicts Belgian ISIS Fighter of Genocide Against Yazidis

    A Brussels criminal court has convicted a Belgian member of the Islamic State (IS), Sammy Djedou, presumed killed in a 2016 airstrike in Syria, for genocide and crimes against the Yazidi community in Iraq. The landmark ruling found that the defendant participated in IS activities during the group’s campaign against Yazidis in 2014, which included killings, persecution and enslavement.

    The judgment marks one of the first times a Belgian court has legally recognised the atrocities committed by Islamic State (IS) against the Yazidis as genocide, reinforcing Belgium’s prosecution of foreign fighters involved in jihadist crimes abroad.

    Source: https://www.hln.be/brussel/is-strijder-sammy-djedou-die-vermoedelijk-al-bijna-10-jaar-dood-is-veroordeeld-voor-genocide~a816ff99/ and https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/875285/brussels-court-convicts-belgian-isis-fighter-of-genocide-against-yezidis-in-landmark-trial

  • 22 October 2026

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    Belgium’s Court of Cassation Orders Release of al-Qaeda Convict Nizar Trabelsi

    Belgium’s Court of Cassation rejected the final appeal concerning the detention of Nizar Trabelsi, a convicted al-Qaeda member originally from Tunisia, ruling that he must be released. Trabelsi had previously been convicted in Belgium for involvement in a plot targeting a U.S. military base.

    The court confirmed that no further legal grounds remained to justify his continued detention, effectively upholding earlier rulings ordering his release. The Trabelsi case is one of Belgium’s earliest major jihadist terrorism cases, predating the ISIS wave and linked to early al-Qaeda networks in Europe.

    Source: https://www.demorgen.be/snelnieuws/nizar-trabelsi-moet-worden-vrijgelaten-hof-van-cassatie-verwerpt-elk-beroep~bfffb78c/

  • 09 October 2025

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    Belgian Police Arrest Suspects in Jihad-Inspired Drone Plot Targeting Prime Minister

    Belgian authorities arrested several suspects in connection with a jihad-inspired plot involving the planned use of a drone to carry out an attack against political figures, including the Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, using either a drone or a homemade explosive device, who lived near one of the suspects. The investigation revealed that the suspects had allegedly discussed using a drone equipped with explosives and that one of the suspects was still a student at the time.

    Prosecutors stated that the case showed indications of jihadist ideological motivation, although the plot was disrupted before any attack could be carried out. The arrests highlight ongoing concerns among Belgian security services about evolving attack methods and the influence of extremist propaganda encouraging violence in Europe.

    Source: https://www.hln.be/antwerpen/hoe-drie-jihadisten-met-zelfgemaakte-bom-hun-buurman-bart-de-wever-dood-wilden-een-van-hen-is-zelfs-nog-scholier~ac9d455e6/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&cb=2820942c-e698-4e9e-9d03-0b100e1bea92&auth_rd=1 and https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/09/belgian-police-arrest-suspects-plotting-jihadist-inspired-drone-attack-on-prime-minister

  • 17 September 2025

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    Three French Muslim teenagers on Trial for Planned Terror Attack on Israeli Embassy in Belgium

    Three teenagers appeared before a French court for allegedly planning a terrorist attack targeting the Israeli embassy in Belgium. According to prosecutors, the suspects were radicalised online and had expressed support for jihadist ideology, discussing plans to carry out a violent attack against the diplomatic mission.

    The case highlights concerns about the online radicalisation of minors and the cross-border nature of terrorism investigations in Europe, as the suspects were based in France while the intended target was located in Belgium. Authorities are examining possible links to extremist networks and online propaganda.

    Source: https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-867826

  • 31 July 2025

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    Brussels Attack Perpetrator Convicted for Role in Murder of Jordanian Pilot by Islamic State

    A court in Sweden has convicted Osama Krayem, a perpetrator involved in the 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks, for his role in the killing of a Jordanian pilot who was burned alive by Islamic State (IS) in Syria in 2015. The court found that Krayem participated in guarding the pilot and contributing to the propaganda surrounding the execution.

    Krayem had previously been convicted in Belgium for his involvement in the ISIS-linked attacks in Brussels and Paris, making the case another example of ongoing international prosecutions related to Islamic State terrorism networks in Europe.

    Sources: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2025/07/31/life-for-brussels-attacks-terrorist-osama-krayem-convicted-of-mu/ and https://www.belganewsagency.eu/brussels-attack-perpetrator-convicted-of-murder-of-pilot-burned-alive-in-syria

  • 19 June 2025

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    Return of Radical Preacher Mohamed Toujgani Reignites Debate on Belgian Nationality

    The return of controversial imam Mohamed Toujgani to Belgium has reignited political debate about the revocation of Belgian nationality in cases linked to extremism. Toujgani, a former imam of the Great Mosque of Brussels, had previously been expelled from the country over concerns related to radical Islamist views.

    Belgian authorities had revoked his residence rights on national security grounds, but his return has prompted renewed discussions among politicians about whether Belgian citizenship laws should be tightened to address individuals accused of promoting extremist ideology.

    Source: https://www.bruzz.be/actua/samenleving/terugkeer-toujgani-heropent-het-debat-over-de-belgische-nationaliteit-2025-06-19

  • 20 May 2025

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    Refugee from Mechelen Sentenced for Islamic State Propaganda

    A 27-year-old refugee from Mechelen has been convicted by a Belgian court for spreading propaganda for the Islamic State (IS). Investigators found that his mobile phone contained a large amount of extremist material linked to the terrorist organisation.

    The court ruled that the possession and dissemination of IS propaganda constituted participation in activities supporting a terrorist group. The case reflects Belgium’s continued prosecution of individuals involved in online extremist propaganda linked to the Islamic State.

    Source: https://www.hln.be/mechelen/vluchteling-27-uit-mechelen-veroordeeld-voor-het-propaganderen-van-is-zijn-gsm-stond-vol-beeldmateriaal~aa178d97/

  • 24 April 2025

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    Antwerp Court of Appeal Convicts Terrorist Cell Over Plot Targeting Bart De Wever

    The Antwerp Court of Appeal (Cour d’appel d’Anvers) convicted five members of a jihadist-inspired terrorist cell, four men and one woman, for preparing a terrorist attack targeting Bart De Wever, the former mayor of Antwerp. In the first instance, the suspects had been sentenced to prison terms ranging from seven to thirteen years.

    On appeal, the court reduced the penalties and ruled that the five defendants were guilty of “preparation of a terrorist attack.” However, all of the accused were acquitted of the charge of “attempted terrorist murder.” The ruling highlights Belgium’s continued judicial action against individuals involved in jihadist-inspired plots while distinguishing between preparation and attempted execution of an attack.

    Source: https://www.hovenenrechtbanken.be/nl/hof-van-beroep-antwerpen/news/3469 and https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2025/04/24/en-belgique-une-cellule-terroriste-condamnee-pour-un-projet-d-attentat-contre-l-ancien-maire-d-anvers_6599680_3210.html

  • 22 April 2025

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    Afghan Refugee Appears in Court in Belgium Over Islamic State Propaganda

    An Afghan refugee appeared before a Belgian court in Mechelen accused of spreading propaganda for Islamic State (IS) and supporting jihadist activities online. According to prosecutors, the suspect helped disseminate extremist material through digital platforms, contributing to the online propaganda efforts of the terrorist organisation.

    Investigators allege that the defendant played a role in promoting IS ideology on the internet, which Belgian authorities consider a form of participation in a terrorist organisation. The case reflects Belgium’s continued prosecution of individuals involved in online jihadist propaganda networks.

    Source: https://www.hln.be/mechelen/afghaanse-vluchteling-staat-terecht-voor-is-propaganda-hij-hielp-bij-het-voeren-van-de-jihad-online~a513dcb4/

  • 22 January 2025

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    elgian Islamist Preacher, Jean-Louis Denis, Who Praised Taliban, Travels to Afghanistan

    Belgian Islamist preacher, Jean-Louis Denis, who was sentenced to five years in prison in 2016 for recruiting young people for jihad, has traveled to Afghanistan. His visit to Afghanistan has raised concerns about his possible links to jihadist groups operating in the region.

    In a video posted on YouTube, he stated that his goal is to live “according to the principles of Sharia” and “show the true face of Afghanistan”. He also said that he went to Kunduz. He said he lives near an orphanage and plans to support it with a project. Denis also claimed that he did not come to Afghanistan to participate in jihad, but rather to implement a project in the field of sustainable agriculture.

    Although the Belgian Islamist preacher has said that he does not seek jihad in Afghanistan, he has previously praised the Taliban for “beheading infidels” in his remarks.

    Jean-Louis Denis was released in December 2018 after serving his sentence in prison. He was expelled from Benin (a West African country) in 2022 for extremist activities and links to jihadist groups. Denis was involved in recruiting and organising the travel of dozens recruits from European countries to war zones such as Syria. One of the people facilitated by Jean-Louis Denis was Najim al-Ashrawi, the suicide bomber of the March 22, 2016 attack in Brussels.

    Source: https://www.afintl.com/en/202501229753

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