Shots were exchanged during a search carried out by the police this morning in Merksem, in the province of Antwerp. A suspect has died.
The police operation targeted a small group of people suspected of proximity to the violent far right.
Investigators were looking for weapons, including homemade weapons according to our information. Also according to information from RTBF, in addition to the arms trafficking component of the investigations, the suspects are suspected of an attempted terrorist attack.
Attempted terrorist attack
Contacted by RTBF, the federal prosecutor’s office overseeing this case indicates that a dozen searches took place this morning in the province of Antwerp, under the direction of an Antwerp investigating judge. Many weapons were found.
The Antwerp public prosecutor’s office also descended on the spot to investigate the circumstances of the exchange of fire during the search carried out with the support of special units of the federal police.
This file is unrelated to the threats against the Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne.