A 14 -year -old teenager was arrested this Thursday, January 23 in Brussels (Belgium) on Thursday, January 23. He is suspected of preparing an attack on a mosque, a project which should have materialized the next day, Friday, January 24, day of prayer. The information was confirmed by the Brussels prosecutor's office, which said in a statement that the suspect “Projected to commit an attack on a mosque this Friday, January 24, day of prayer and crowds within the mosques”.
The police were alerted on Wednesday, thanks to “Declassified confidential information”said the prosecution. A search was carried out at dawn at the teenager's home, allowing to grasp “Weapons and computer equipment”. According to local media, weapons included knives and compasses. The teenager would have planned to target the Annajah mosque in Molenbeek, a popular district of the Belgian capital.
The suspect, originally from Ukraine, is described as a sympathizer of the far right. The Minister of Justice, Paul Van Tigchet, stressed that this case reflects “The nightmare” that the radicalized young people represent for the police. “The process of radicalization of these young people develops much faster than in the past”he said, evoking the growing influence of social networks in online radicalization.
A disturbing trend
According to a report published by the state security in mid-January, nearly a third of the individuals involved in terrorism files between 2022 and 2024 were minors. “Between 2022 and 2024, almost a third of people who fomented attacks of attacks were under the age of 18. The online radicalization process of these young people is dazzling”noted the Belgian intelligence agency.
The latest OCAM data, the terrorist threat analysis agency in Belgium, indicate that 600 people are currently on duty as extremists, including a majority linked to the jihadist movement. About sixty are monitored for their links with far -right movements, without distinction between adults and minors.
-“Young people are vulnerable to extremist influences”
The prosecution requested the placement of the suspect in a closed center for minors (IPPJ) and indicted it for “preparation of a terrorist attack”. After this arrest, the Muslim Council of Belgium (CMB) expressed “His deep concern” Faced with the radicalization of minors, whatever their ideologies. Esma Uçan, president of the CMB, reacted: “This incident tragicly highlights the threat of radicalization among age minors. The fact that a minor can foment such projects shows how vulnerable to extremist influences. It is urgent to attack Together to this problem “.
The CMB pleaded for increased cooperation between schools, police and religious communities, while emphasizing the need to monitor online radicalization. Finally, the organization urged the population to report any sign of radicalization.
The Muslim council also recalled the importance of strengthening security around religious institutions in Belgium, while calling for collective vigilance. The Minister of Justice, for his part, qualified this case as
“revealing” Dangers linked to the use of social networks by influencing young people, stressing that this phenomenon requires a coordinated response.
