Belgium has entered phase of narco-terrorism, according to Justice minister

According to Belgian Justice minister Vincent Van Quickenborne, Belgium has entered a new phase, that of narco-terrorism. He told several media this on Tuesday evening from a safehouse, where he has been staying with his family for five days. 

Van Quickenborne is in hiding at an undisclosed location with his wife and two children after an attempt to kidnap him was foiled. Four Dutch suspects with links to the drug scene have since been arrested. 

The minister stressed that the investigation is still ongoing, but he assumes that the perpetrators are indeed involved in the drug milieu. Among other things, he referred to the Sky ECC case, which allowed the arrest of hundreds of people in our country and, according to Van Quickenborne, intercepted more than 13 billion euros worth of drugs in Antwerp alone. 

According to the minister, the kidnapping plans indicate that our country has entered a "new phase", that of "narco-terrorism", in which criminals "destabilise a society by frightening the police and judiciary because they feel we are going after them". Van Quickenborne stressed that the government wants to continue to step up the fight against drug crime. 

How long the minister and his family will have to stay in the safehouse is not yet clear. In any case, Van Quickenborne assumes he will be under increased police surveillance for a long time. 

© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK