The man who threatened passersby with a knife to Koekelberg under arrest warrant

Brussels

The investigating judge heard the suspect arrested for threatening passers-by with a knife to Koekelberg and placed him under arrest warrant, said Willemien Baert, spokesman for the Brussels public prosecutor's office.

"The individual was charged with attempted murder with the circumstance that the facts were committed because of a religious or philosophical conviction," the spokeswoman added, adding that the facts have not been characterized as terrorist offense. Several passersby informed the police on Wednesday around 11:00 am that a man had threatened them with a knife in the middle of the street in Koekelberg. A police patrol went to the scene and the officers were informed that the suspect had fled.

Shortly after, it was intercepted by law enforcement at Jean Dubrucq Avenue in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. The police had to repeatedly order him to release his knife, but no one was injured, either at Koekelberg or during the arrest.

According to RTL, the man reportedly asked passersby that he assaulted them if they were of Jewish origin and shouted "Allah Akbar" but, on Thursday as well as Friday, the Brussels public prosecutor's office said he could not bring any information. information about it. The investigation must still confirm or refute what is reported in these testimonies.