On Thursday, Vincent Van Quickenborne, the Federal Justice Minister, temporarily left the safe house he has been staying at since an attempted kidnapping plot was foiled last week, to attend a ceremony in Etterbeek.
As the minister and his family were threatened with an attempted kidnapping outside their house in Kortrijk, the Van Quickenbornes had been assigned to stay at a safe house for the time being.
However, the minister left the location to attend an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Directorate of Special Units of the Federal Police.
He was present alongside King Philippe, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden and State Secretary for Digitalisation Mathieu Michel.
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The Justice Minister stated that "the decision was taken on Wednesday evening, I am still under heavy protection so I have to limit my movements to the essentials."
He added that "it was important for me to be here today to show my appreciation to the people who protect us on a daily basis, for their commitment, dedication and work."
In addition, Van Quickenborne was also in parliament, where he has asked State Security to pay particular attention to organised crime, after having stated that Belgium has entered into "narco-terrorism" after his attempted kidnapping.
