2023-11-28 16:31:00
The individual arrested in Morocco as part of the investigation into bomb threats in several Belgian schools has been arrested, the Brussels prosecutor’s office confirmed on Tuesday. The suspect, who confessed to the facts, allegedly threatened to detonate bombs in exchange for money.
“The federal judicial police in Brussels, in close collaboration with the Moroccan authorities, have achieved an important breakthrough in a case of threats and extortion targeting several Belgian schools“, underlined the Brussels prosecutor’s office. The suspect had in fact threatened on Sunday, in an email, around fifteen schools (spread over 26 school sites) in Brussels and Walloon Brabant.
The suspect allegedly threatened to detonate bombs in exchange for money, leading to the preventive closure of the targeted schools on Monday.
To trace the origin of the threats, the Osint team (for “Open Source Intelligence Technique”) of the federal judicial police worked in collaboration with international partners. “Through the use of advanced technologies and close cooperation with Moroccan authorities, teams ultimately managed to locate the suspect and arrest him in Morocco“, specified the Brussels public prosecutor’s office.
The individual, of Moroccan nationality, was questioned before confessing the facts to the Moroccan authorities. The initial conclusions of the investigation also show that the suspect does not have terrorist motivations.
The Brussels public prosecutor’s office is currently leading the investigation and remains in close contact with the competent authorities in Morocco. Further investigations should reveal the suspect’s exact motive. The suspect’s extradition has not yet been requested, but he faces criminal sanctions: up to two years in prison and a fine.
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■ Report by Jean-Christophe Pesesse and Frédéric De Henau
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