The Antwerp Criminal Court is due to issue its verdict on Wednesday in the trial of an alleged terrorist group accused of plotting to murder the city’s Mayor, Bart De Wever, who also chairs the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA).
The suspects were apprehended on 27 March 2023 in a series of raids carried out in Antwerp, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, and Eupen. Police had been monitoring their activities for several months after Antwerp’s Federal Judicial Police (FJP) were alerted by state security about worrisome actions initiated by prime suspect Elias E.A.
The federal prosecutor revealed that Elias E.A had been posting Islamic State (ISIS) propaganda on social media. He also filmed a training video in which he portrayed himself as an ISIS combatant apparently ready to resort to violence.
Detailed investigation brought to light conversations within private chat groups. These indicated that Elias E.A planned to kill Bart De Wever and stage an attack on a police station, and that he was attempting to obtain a Kalashnikov, handguns, and explosives.
Police intervened when an undercover officer infiltrated the Telegram chat group and observed that the assassination plot was reaching an advanced stage.
Elias E.A., considered the terrorist cell’s leader, was slated to carry out the attack with 21-year-old Sebastian B. from Eupen. The latter had previously plotted an attack on a police post in Verviers while still a minor. Jihad E.H., a 21-year-old from Antwerp, provided Bart De Wever’s address. Harun C., a 36-year-old former colleague of the main suspect and his religion teacher, were allegedly aware of the plan, as was Elias E.A’s wife, Vanessa B., 24.
All five face charges of attempted terrorist murder. The sixth suspect, Ahmed E.O., 21, is only charged with involvement in a terrorist group’s activities.
The federal prosecutor has asked for a 15-year prison term for Elias E.A., 12 years each for Harun C. and Sebastian B., and eight years each for Jihad E.H. and Vanessa B. Ahmed E.O. faces a possible five-year sentence.
Elias E.A’s lawyer contends that the acts were preparatory rather than a murder attempt, disputes the characterisation of the defendants as a structured group, and denies that his client was a leading figure. He has sought a suspended sentence, subject to probative conditions, including a de-radicalisation programme.
The legal representatives of the other five defendants have requested acquittal, with each of the five accused denying knowledge of Elias E.A.’s plans.
