Brussels police `foil terror plot` ahead of Ireland`s Euro game
Police have arrested a dozen people in a bid to foil a suspected terror attack on football supporters in Brussels watching Belgiums Euro 2016 game against the Republic of Ireland.
Jun 19, 2016
By Nick Hudson
Police have arrested a dozen people in a bid to foil a suspected terror attack on football supporters in Brussels watching Belgiums Euro 2016 game against the Republic of Ireland.
Officers made the arrests and raided dozens of homes and garages across Belgium during a major police operation.
Flemish public broadcaster VTM said the people arrested were suspected of planning an attack in Brussels over the weekend during one of Belgium`s matches in the Euro tournament.
Belgian police on Wednesday (June 15) received an anti-terror alert warning that a group of so-called Islamic State (Daesh) jihadist fighters had left Syria en route for Europe planning attacks in Belgium and France.
“Fighters travelling without passports left Syria about a week and a half ago in order to reach Europe by boat via Turkey and Greece,” a memo sent to police and security services across Belgium said, according to <i>La Derniere Heure</i> newspaper.
The country`s federal prosecutor`s office said in a statement immediate intervention had been required.
“In connection with a criminal investigation concerning terrorism 40 people were taken for questioning. Twelve among them were arrested, the statement said.
The investigating judge will decide on their possible detention.
Belgium played Ireland in Bordeax, France, on Saturday afternoon (June 18), but it is believed terrorists were planning to target fans watching the game in Brussels.
No firearms or explosives were found in the raids carried out in 16 municipalities, mostly in and around Brussels.
The operation comes after Daesh suicide bombers killed 32 people in Brussels in March following attacks in Paris in November in which 130 people died.
France, which is hosting the Euro 2016 football championships, is on maximum alert after an assailant previously convicted for jihadism killed a police officer and his partner on Monday (June 13).
The attacker told police negotiators before being gunned down that he had sworn loyalty to Daesh three weeks earlier.