Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Reactions varied in political and partisan circles in Belgium today, Saturday, following the announcement by Justice Minister Vincent van Quickenborn of his resignation due to a judicial error that led to failure to respond to a request submitted by the Tunisian authorities last year to hand over one of their nationals wanted by the Tunisian judiciary, Abdel Salam Al-Aswad, who a few days ago carried out an accident. In Brussels, the authorities described him as a terrorist act after he randomly opened fire and killed two Swedes in the street and then fled, but the next day police officers were able to locate him and shot him, and he died in the hospital from his wounds.
Party leaders praised the decision and described it as political courage, while some demanded the necessity of dismissing the government. Others said that what happened was an unacceptable mistake, and others demanded more clarifications about the circumstances of the resignation.
Vincent Van Quickenborn said in a press conference on Friday evening: “I have come to provide more clarity regarding the terrorist attack that was committed in the heart of our capital on Monday evening.” “In August 2022, Tunisia sent a request for the extradition of the perpetrator of the Brussels attack. This request was referred by the Public Prosecution to the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office. The competent judge did not respond to this, and as a result, he was not extradited. This is an individual, grave and unacceptable mistake with serious consequences.” "Although it is an individual mistake, I still want to bear my political responsibility. I resign."
According to Belgian media, Abdel Salam Al-Aswad, the “Brussels bomber,” was sentenced to 26 years and 8 months in prison in Tunisia on charges of attempted double murder in 2005. He escaped from prison in Tunisia in 2011 and began his wanderings across Europe. Tunisia requested his extradition in 2022 on charges of escape, arson and destruction. Belgium does not extradite in cases of escape, but it does extradite in cases of arson and destruction. It had to be handed over, but the file was “forgotten” and Tunisia did not receive any answer from our country.
The Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office has not responded at the present time to the news regarding the dismissal of Justice Minister Vincent van Quickenborn. “The Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office refers to the announcement made by the Public Prosecutor during the press conference on behalf of the Public Prosecution,” he said in a statement to the Belgian News Agency. “The District Attorney’s Office will take the initiative to reach out when there are additional items to report.”
During the press conference, Johan Delmole, the Public Prosecutor of Brussels, explained that 31 similar files were received by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Brussels last year. He explained, "These are the only ones among those files that were not processed after receipt." “I can only conclude that it is only due to an unfortunate set of circumstances that the file was put on hold.”
Delmole also expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the Minister to strengthen the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office. It was then announced that Prime Minister Alexander De Croo will hold a basic cabinet meeting today, Saturday, at three o'clock in the afternoon, to "create complete clarity."
“We will hold a cabinet meeting in the presence of (Interior Minister) Anneliese Verlinden, the Brussels prosecutor and the interim commissioner general of the federal police to provide full clarity,” De Croo said on X, the former Twitter account. . De Croo "took note of the decision" of Justice Minister Vincent van Quickenborn to resign. "I respect his political courage," the Prime Minister said.
Liberal Party leader Tom Ongina said that "over the weekend" consultations would take place on the successor of his party colleague Vincent van Quickenborn as justice minister.
Ongina praised Van Quickenborn's decision: "It was clear to Vincent from the beginning that his political responsibility was at play here." “This is a way to clearly point out that a serious mistake was indeed made here that had these tragic consequences.” Whether the judge must also bear the consequences is a matter for the judge. Ongina said: “It is not my right to talk about it, but I think it is better to follow disciplinary procedures. Finally, Ongina stressed that “friends and enemies alike” realize that Van Quickenborn did a good job as Minister of Justice. She added that the matter is now up to his successor. To finish the work.