The main suspect is also charged in a separate file with threatening an investigating judge. An additional three months in prison is requested for this.
On January 4, the cell of a detainee was searched, who had been arrested in a terror investigation since October 2023. A drawing of a beheading was found with the name of the investigating judge in his case. “Underneath the drawing there was also a text about seeking the highest paradise, which can only be achieved by dying a martyr’s death,” the prosecutor said.
The detainee had received the drawing of the main suspect in this file. After all, the investigating judge in question also led the investigation into the attempted terrorist murder of Bart De Wever. According to the prosecutor, EA made the drawing when he had already been in custody for more than six months and was already following a deradicalization process.
His lawyer argued for acquittal. “To be able to speak of threats, the message must be known to the victim and frighten him, which was not the case here. It was never his intention that the investigating judge would see that drawing,” said master Wim Wagemakers.
The main defendant also expressed his remorse in this case. “I was going through a difficult period and out of frustration I sketched something stupid. It didn’t mean anything, nor did the text underneath.”
Tags: Clear targets concrete timing years prison demanded terrorist group targeted police mayor Wever
