Elias EA came into the crosshairs of investigators last year. They learned that he used the alias ‘Ilias_al_Belgiki’ on social media and that he spread propaganda for the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) there. The Federal Judicial Police (FGP) was able to quickly identify a group around EA. The suspects had contact via Telegram, Snapchat and Instagram and also had physical meetings.
During the investigation it soon became apparent that EA was not only spreading Salafist jihadist ideas, but that he also wanted to commit an attack. He talked about, among other things, “fighting the dogs” and talked about attacking the police or a police station.
The most concrete, according to the federal public prosecutor’s office, were the plans to assassinate Antwerp mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA). For this purpose, EA looked for a war weapon of the AK-47 (Kalashnikov) type and two chargers with fifty bullets. That search gained momentum at the end of March 2023. An undercover agent deployed by the police came into contact with EA via the Telegram messaging service. Unsuspectingly, EA spoke to undercover agent ‘Sayfullah’ about the weapons and forwarded a photo of De Wever. The murder of De Wever would take place after Ramadan, in mid-April 2023. EA would pay 2,200 euros for the weapons – he also wanted two pistols – and ammunition. Because the plans seemed to be concrete, the police intervened.
Wife
“There is no doubt about the intent of the actions,” the prosecutor said. Without the intervention of the police, a terrorist assassination attempt on De Wever would have occurred, the public prosecutor’s office said. This would be carried out by EA and Sebastian B. from Eupen, both 21 years young today. B. was previously involved in terrorist plans in Verviers as a minor, when a police station was the alleged target.
Antwerp resident EA is seen as the leader of a terrorist group: the prosecutor demanded fifteen years in prison against him. Because EA made a drawing in prison of the investigating judge being beheaded, the public prosecutor demanded an additional three months in prison for threats.
Four others are being prosecuted together with him for attempted terrorist murder and participation in a terrorist group. According to the public prosecutor’s office, they were aware of the plans and provided support by forwarding De Wever’s address or by encouraging EA. One of them is EA’s religious wife, Vanessa B. (24) from Molenbeek. She risks eight years in prison. Sebastian B. was sentenced to twelve years in prison, just like Antwerp resident Harun C. (36), the religious inspirer of EA Jihad EH (21), who forwarded De Wever’s address, risks eight years in prison. A sixth man is being prosecuted for incitement to hatred. He was sentenced to five years.
“Emotional period”
Key figure Elias EA was assisted on Wednesday by lawyer Wim Wagemakers, who asked the court to impose a sentence with probation deferment. One of those conditions would be the continuation of his deradicalization. According to Wagemakers, there was no structured group and EA was certainly not a leading figure. “Nowhere does it appear that he gave instructions. It was defendant Harun C. who urged him to create the chat group. According to the public prosecutor’s office, my client was going to commit the attack himself, which is not the behavior of a ringleader, is it?
“I was going through an emotional period and had a lot of frustrations. By looking at the file I realize that something was wrong, but I never had the intention to commit violence.”
Elias EA
Accused
According to Wagemakers, there was no murder attempt and it was at most preparatory actions. EA itself expressed its regret for what it calls “stupid statements”. “I was going through an emotional period and had a lot of frustrations. By looking at the file I realize that something was wrong, but I never had the intention to commit violence.”
All five of the other suspects asked for an acquittal. They said they were not aware of the alleged plans. Sebastian B. says he is not “the brother of Verviers” from the file. “He barely knows who the mayor of Eupen is, let alone the mayor of Antwerp,” said his lawyer Brecht Horsten.
Judgment on June 5.
READ ALSO. Foiled attack targeted Bart De Wever: radicalized Muslim youth had plans to assassinate the mayor
Tags: ready fight dogs terror cell targeted Bart Wever risks fifteen years prison Antwerp
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