The man suspected of planning an attack during the Miss Belgium election in February will remain in custody for two more weeks as federal prosecutors have appealed for his conditional release. The suspect, 46-year-old Peter C., was arrested in De Panne with two firearms and a bulletproof vest. The federal prosecutor’s office claims he planned to commit an attack during the Miss Belgium evening. However, the defense has argued that he only carried weapons for self-defence due to feeling threatened. The man’s lawyers have requested psychiatric and psychological assessments, which suggest he has been struggling with mental disorders, including possible dementia. Despite a request for conditional release, the Ghent indictment chamber will review the case within the next two weeks.
The federal prosecutor’s office appealed on Tuesday for the conditional release of the man suspected of having wanted to commit an attack during the Miss Belgium election last February. Peter C., the 46-year-old suspect, will therefore remain behind bars for two more weeks.
The 40-year-old from Lommel was arrested on Saturday February 11 around 5:30 p.m. in De Panne. According to the federal prosecutor’s office, he intended to commit an attack during the Miss Belgium election evening, which was held in the seaside resort. The ceremony had been delayed for more than an hour because of this threat. The man was in possession of two firearms and a bulletproof vest at the time.
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Since the start of the investigation, the defense has challenged his client’s plan to commit an attack. According to the suspect’s own statements, he felt threatened and carried these weapons only to defend himself.
In prison, the defense of Peter C. requested a psychiatric and psychological expertise. The experts’ report shows, according to the defence, that the man has been struggling with serious mental disorders for some time. He might have felt threatened because of paranoid delusions. The forensic psychiatrist has since concluded that the suspect may be suffering from dementia.
Given these elements, Maître Walter Van Steenbrugge once more requested the conditional release of his client before the Bruges council chamber on Tuesday morning. The instance followed this request on the condition that its client was immediately taken care of. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office, however, appealed this decision. The Ghent indictment chamber will have to examine the case within two weeks. Until then, Peter C. will remain in prison.
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The forties, originally from Lommel, was arrested on Saturday February 11 at the end of the followingnoon in De Panne. According to the federal prosecutor’s office, Peter C. intended to carry out an attack during the Miss Belgium election, which was taking place at the Proximus Theater in Plopsaland and which started an hour late. Peter C. had been arrested in possession of two firearms and a bulletproof vest.
The defense, for its part, has been claiming since the start of the investigation that there was never any question of an attack. Peter C. has reportedly felt threatened for some time and has been carrying weapons for protection.
In prison, Peter C. saw a psychiatrist and a psychologist, who in their report claim that he has had mental problems for quite a long time. Peter C. may have felt threatened because he suffered from paranoid delusions.
The case of Peter C. and his intention to attack the Miss Belgium ceremony has sparked a lot of debate regarding mental health and the legal system. While the defense argues that he was struggling with severe mental disorders and felt threatened, the federal prosecutor’s office believes that there is evidence to support his planned attack. The decision to appeal for his conditional release reflects the complexity of this case, and it remains to be seen how it will be resolved. Whatever the outcome, it is clear that this incident highlights the need for greater understanding and support for those dealing with mental health issues.