A further investigation will be undertaken into the attempted kidnapping of former Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open VLD), federal prosecutors said on Thursday.
There was insufficient evidence to prove the suspects’ involvement, the prosecutors said, explaining that the evidence at hand only supported charging the six suspects with possession of illegal weapons and membership of a criminal organisation.
Mr Van Quickenborne’s lawyer, Jan Leysen, said the turn of events was "surprising," with too many coincidences. "Hence, we request further investigation. We also want to understand how they reached this decision," he added.
“We can confirm that the case has been postponed and an additional investigation will be conducted,” the prosecution responded.
In September 2022, investigators intercepted concrete information regarding a plot to “kidnap a minister in Kortrijk,” orchestrated by Dutch criminals involved in the drug trade. Weapons were found in a car near Mr Van Quickenborne’s home in Kortrijk.
Six Dutch nationals were arrested, mainly on charges of attempted kidnapping.
