Highlights
– Belgian authorities arrest 14 Muslim extremists planning to free Tunisian al-Qaeda prisoner from jail
– Terror threat heightened, Christmas and New Year’s festivities curtailed
– Authorities forced to release suspects due to lack of evidence
– Political crisis drags on, complicates security environment
On December 21, 2007, Belgian anti-terror police arrested 14 Muslim extremists allegedly planning to free an al-Qaeda militant from incarceration. In night raids across the country, police arrested the suspects and discovered arms and explosives purportedly set to be used to free Nizar Trabelsi, a Tunisian jailed for planning a terror attack against US personnel in 2001.
In light of the arrests, officials announced the country was at increased risk for imminent terror attacks. Following the announcement scheduled Christmas and New Year’s events in Brussels were curtailed. The highly trafficked Christmas market closed early and previously scheduled New Year’s fireworks were also canceled. On December 22, 2007, a Belgian judge released the suspects due to lack of evidence suggesting police had acted too early.
The arrests come at a turbulent time for the country as Belgium remains deeply rooted in political crisis. As we previously reported, a crisis over the fate of the country developed following the nation’s national elections in June 2007 (Previous Report). More than six months after winning the election on a two-party platform Belgium Liberals and Christian Democrats have failed to form a coalition government. The debate continues as to whether the country should divide into two separate regions or remain unified. Indicating intensifying frustration, on December 23, 2007, Belgium’s parliament finally came to an agreement to form a new interim government, however no decisions have been made regarding permanent leadership.
Authorities Disrupt Plot to Free al-Qaeda Militant
On December 21, 2007, Belgian police arrested and detained 14 suspected Muslim extremists for allegedly planning to free an al-Qaeda militant imprisoned for planning a large-scale terror attack on a US air base in 2001. Purportedly, the men were attempting to free Nizar Trabelsi, a 37-year-old Tunisian and former pro-soccer player, currently serving a 10-year sentence after admitting to planning to drive a car bomb into the cafeteria at a Belgian airbase housing approximately 100 US military personnel.
Following the arrests, Belgian authorities tightened security measures in and around the capital, focusing their efforts on airports, train stations and other public areas. Additionally, officials declared the country was at risk for imminent terrorist attacks. Christmas festivities occurring in Brussels and scheduled New Year’s fireworks were curtailed.
The arrests were short-lived as the following day on December 22, 2007 authorities were forced to release the 14 suspects after a judge determined a lack of evidence against the individuals. Despite their release, authorities have indicated the investigation into the alleged plot continues. Additionally, the country remains in a heightened state of alert.
Bomb Scares
In January 2008, Brussels’ residents received another terror scare as railway travelers experienced significant delays due to multiple bomb alerts in four Belgian towns. On January 4, 2008, police received a telephone call indicating an apparent bomb threat on four train lines. However, searches of the Brussels, Gand, Lovanio, and Amberes rail stations yielded no results. Trains departing and arriving at the stations experienced delays, however traffic across the country returned to normal.
While authorities maintain the threat to the capital has decreased in recent days, heightened security measures remain in effect.
Political Crisis Lingers
The December 2007 arrests come at an ongoing difficult and uncertain time, as Belgian officials continue debating the country’s fate. As we previously reported, signs of increasing tensions and dissatisfaction between the French-speaking Walloons and Dutch-speaking Flemish remain a significant concern (Previous Report). Specifically, despite a more than six-month governmental hiatus, Belgium has yet to agree to a permanent coalition government amid rising political unrest and fervent calls for a divided Belgium.
On December 2, 2007, amid an intensifying political deadlock, Dutch and Francophone politicians blamed each other for the collapse of six months of talks, revealing the marked differences in the two linguistic camps view of a mutual future. The talks ran aground culminating in would-be Prime Minister, Yves Leterme’s official resignation and admission of failure to King Albert II.
With no end in sight, on December 23, 2007, outgoing Prime Minister, Guy Verhofstadt, agreed to lead a three-month interim government. Verhofstadt, a Dutch-speaker, has pledged to spend his time as the interim leader to draft a new budget, tackle rising prices, and prepare reforms to devolve more power to both the Wallonia and Flanders regions. However, in March 2008, Verhofstadt’s five-party cabinet is scheduled to hand power over to the Christian Democrats, the winners of the June 10, 2007 elections.
Future Outlook
We are skeptical a successful handover of power will occur without a substantial change in the mindset of separatist Flemish leaders. It will likely be a long and difficult road ahead as a reported 43 percent of the country’s Dutch-speaking population continues to rally for an independent Dutch Flanders state.
Additionally, a projected rise in the threat of imminent terror attacks complicates matters further. To be sure, a terror attack on Belgian soil would likely be devastating, as Belgian politicians find themselves at a political stalemate. Should a large-scale terror attack take place, it is likely a complete breakdown in the tenuously placed interim government would occur, throwing the country further into political crisis.
