Brussels Prosecutor General Johan Delmulle has expressed his deep concern regarding the recent verbal attacks on the magistrate responsible for handling the extradition request of Abdesalem Lassoued.
Lassoued, a 45-year-old Tunisian national, is the perpetrator of the terror attack that claimed the lives of two Swedish citizens in Brussels on Monday.
Following the incident, it was revealed that Tunisia had submitted an extradition request for Lassoued to Belgium in August 2022. He was sought for escaping from a Tunisian prison in January 2011, where he was serving a 26-year sentence.
"Tomorrow, in collaboration with the concerned magistrate, we will conduct a thorough and objective examination of the events, ensuring a fair and balanced assessment," Delmulle said in a press conference on Sunday.
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"It is regrettable that this magistrate is facing public scrutiny, as magistrates should have the opportunity to defend themselves," he added.
Delmulle also discussed the "structural measures implemented yesterday" by the Federal Government and expressed gratitude to the outgoing Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne for his efforts at strengthening the Brussels Prosecutor's Office.
An urgent meeting of top-level Belgian government officials including Prime Minister Alexander De Croo took place on Saturday evening, the day after Van Quickenborne's sudden resignation.
At the meeting, the Federal Government decided to bolster the Brussels Prosecutor's Office with an additional five magistrates and to expand the staff of the Brussels judicial police with 50 new full-time positions.
