Dozens of Belgian police officers were looking for an armed soldier, reputed to be close to the extreme right, on Wednesday morning, May 19, on the run after uttering threats against the state and public figures, said the federal prosecutor's office, seized of the file.
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The research, which has mobilized special units of the federal police since Tuesday evening, is concentrated near Dilsen-Stokkem in the Dutch-speaking province of Limburg (north-east), on the border of the Netherlands, where the forties live. "
He is a fairly trained soldier, who seems to be close to far-right ideas, and who left two letters with worrying elements
", explained Eric Van Duyse, spokesman for the federal prosecutor's office, citing threats "
for the structures of the State and public persons
”. The soldier “
disappeared with weapons. The goal is to find him safe and sound
, ”added Eric Van Duyse.
Among the potential targets, is the virologist Marc Van Ranst, who became the target of “
anti-masks
” during the coronavirus crisis. Already under police protection, he was taken to a safe place with his family. Belgian media claimed he may have taken rocket launchers, a submachine gun, a semi-automatic pistol and a bulletproof vest. His vehicle was found Tuesday evening by investigators. "
The most worrying weapons were found on board,
" said the spokesperson for the prosecution.
The wanted person is on the list of terrorists of Ocam, the Belgian organization responsible for analyzing the terrorist threat, because of his far-right sympathies, Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne said Tuesday evening. on Flemish television VTM. "
There are indications that he is violent and, in the last 24 hours, evidence has emerged that the man poses an acute threat
," he said.