Brussels, Nov 18, (dpa/GNA) – Eight people were detained in Belgium on Tuesday, as part of an investigation into a planned attack on the Brussels public prosecutor, the federal prosecutor’s office said.
The main suspects appear to have a criminal record, linked to organized drug trafficking and are believed to be active in Albanian crime networks, it said in a statement.
Belgium is a major gateway for cocaine shipments into Europe. The impact of the drug trade extends beyond the port in Antwerp, with Brussels seeing a rise in street violence, including shootings linked to the narcotics scene.
The suspects are currently being questioned by a judge, who will decide whether they remain in detention.
It was not possible to confirm or deny the alleged plot against the Brussels public prosecutor, as the investigation was ongoing, the federal prosecutor’s office stressed.
Judicial staff in Belgium have repeatedly called for better protection and more resources.
“This investigation demonstrates once again the absolute necessity of better protecting police officers and magistrates who fight tirelessly every day against organized crime and who, as a result, are targeted by these organizations,” said federal prosecutor Ann Fransen.
GNA