2023-10-25 09:38:31
In the days following the attack, the government readily explained that Abdesalem Lassoued, in an irregular situation, was still in Belgium because countries “like Tunisia” did not always want to take back their nationals.
Since Friday, we have learned that Tunisia had indeed requested from Belgium the extradition of Abdesalem Lassoued in August 2022. This extradition request was not processed by Belgian justice, which resulted in the minister of Justice, Vincent Van Quickenborne, to resign to take responsibility for the error of his department.
For the deputies of the joint Justice-Interior committee, these revelations raise questions.
Why did the Tunisians want Abdesalem Lassoued extradited? “It is important to know the reason for this extradition request“, estimates Engagés MP Vanessa Matz. Since October 16, we have learned that the author of the Brussels attack had been imprisoned in Tunisia for common law crimes and that he had escaped for flee, first to Italy. Is it for this or because of his “terrorist” profile that the Tunisians wanted to get him back?”If this is the reason for escape, as was the case for example in the Interpol notice, we know that escape in Belgium is not punishable“, argues the MP. This could therefore explain why Belgium is in no hurry to follow up on the extradition request.
Another question about this extradition request, “How did the minister [de la Justice, V. Van Quickenborne] he remembered this request for intervention. How did we remember that it was in a cabinet somewhere?“, asks PTB MP Sofie Merckx.
In short, what happened on the prosecution’s side regarding this extradition request.
1698229092
#Brussels #attack #Wednesday #JusticeInterior #committee #House #clarify #gray #areas