Terror trial of those accused of plotting to kill the Mayor of Antwerp Bart De Wever gets underway
The trial of five men and one woman who allegedly planned an attack on the leader of the Flemish nationalist party (N-VA) and Mayor of Antwerp, Bart De Wever began in Antwerp on Wednesday morning. Those on trial in the case are also accused of planning an attack on a police station. The suspects were arrested almost a year ago.
On 27 March last year police simultaneously raided houses and flats in the Brussels municipality of Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, Antwerp and in Eupen (Liège province). The six suspects now on trial and two other people that were subsequently released were arrested.
Those now on trial are accused of leading or being members of a terrorist organisation and participating in the activities thereof. One of the defendants is also accused of planning an attempted murder. The public prosecutor is demanding prison sentences of between 5 and 15 years and fines of between 4,000 and 16,000 euro.
Stiff sentences
The alleged leader of the group is facing 15 years in prison. The man is said to have spread IS propaganda on social media and used it to recruit others to the terror group. He is also alleged to have attempted to procure weapons (Kalashnikovs according to the public prosecutor) and explosives online.
It is alleged that the weapons were to have been used to murder the Flemish nationalist politician Bart De Wever and to attack a police station. The plans for the attack are said to have been well advanced. Detectives working on the case say that each suspect had a clearly defined role within the group.
Mr De Wever not in court
Bart De Wever is not at court on Wednesday. In a statement the mayor of Antwerp and chairman of the Flemish nationalist party N-VA said that he has every faith in the judiciary and the public prosecutor's office: "My impression is that they kept a very close eye on those involved. That's why I was never worried for my safety."