This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31378724
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Sharia4Belgium trial: verdict due in Belgian court | Sharia4Belgium trial: verdict due in Belgian court |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Verdicts are due in the trial of 46 people accused of belonging to a group that sent jihadists to Syria - the largest case of its kind in Belgium. | Verdicts are due in the trial of 46 people accused of belonging to a group that sent jihadists to Syria - the largest case of its kind in Belgium. |
| Prosecutors say the Sharia4Belgium organisation sent recruits to militant groups such as Islamic State (IS). | Prosecutors say the Sharia4Belgium organisation sent recruits to militant groups such as Islamic State (IS). |
| Only eight of the accused were expected at court for the ruling. The rest are said to be fighting, or dead, in Syria. | |
| Officials say about 350 Belgians have gone to fight in Syria and Iraq, the highest number per capita in Europe. | Officials say about 350 Belgians have gone to fight in Syria and Iraq, the highest number per capita in Europe. |
| They estimate that 10% of the Belgians who have gone to fight in Syria had links to Sharia4Belgium. | They estimate that 10% of the Belgians who have gone to fight in Syria had links to Sharia4Belgium. |
| European security agencies fear that jihadists who return from those countries could mount attacks on domestic targets. | European security agencies fear that jihadists who return from those countries could mount attacks on domestic targets. |
| Security was tight outside the courthouse ahead of the final session, reporters at the scene said. | Security was tight outside the courthouse ahead of the final session, reporters at the scene said. |
| One of the key defendants in the Antwerp trial is Fouad Belkacem, who prosecutors say was one of the ringleaders of the now defunct group Sharia4Belgium. | One of the key defendants in the Antwerp trial is Fouad Belkacem, who prosecutors say was one of the ringleaders of the now defunct group Sharia4Belgium. |
| He faces up to 15 years in jail for allegedly recruiting foreign fighters for Syria - something he denies. | He faces up to 15 years in jail for allegedly recruiting foreign fighters for Syria - something he denies. |
| Another notable figure in the trial is Jejoen Bontinck, who made headlines after his father Dmitri travelled to Syria to bring him home. | Another notable figure in the trial is Jejoen Bontinck, who made headlines after his father Dmitri travelled to Syria to bring him home. |
| Now 20, Mr Bontinck faces four years in prison, but has also appeared in the trial as a prosecution witness. His family says he is a victim of "grooming" by Sharia4Belgium and denies he is a security threat. | |
| Speaking as they arrived at court, Dmitri Bontinck told reporters: "I didn't go and pick up my son in Syria, only to see him thrown in jail here." | |
| He has previously argued that the group attracted youngsters while they were going through moments of adolescent angst - in Jejoen Bontinck's case, a failed teenage romance. | |
| Many of the other accused - like 21-year-old Brian De Mulder - are still believed to be in Syria, or may already be dead. | Many of the other accused - like 21-year-old Brian De Mulder - are still believed to be in Syria, or may already be dead. |
| However, the judge said that there was not sufficient evidence of any of the suspects being killed, so they could still be convicted, Dutch media reported. | |
| The trial, which has been held under tight security, started in September last year and followed a series of raids across the country. | The trial, which has been held under tight security, started in September last year and followed a series of raids across the country. |
| Analysis: Duncan Crawford in Brussels | Analysis: Duncan Crawford in Brussels |
| This is one of Europe's largest ever terror trials and the verdicts will be read out amid tight security. The alleged leader of Sharia4Belgium, Fouad Belkacem, is the central figure in the court case. | This is one of Europe's largest ever terror trials and the verdicts will be read out amid tight security. The alleged leader of Sharia4Belgium, Fouad Belkacem, is the central figure in the court case. |
| Prosecutors say he brainwashed dozens of young men to fight with jihadi groups in Syria. The court has heard evidence that he used lectures and social media to recruit and radicalise people. | Prosecutors say he brainwashed dozens of young men to fight with jihadi groups in Syria. The court has heard evidence that he used lectures and social media to recruit and radicalise people. |
| Some of the witnesses have accused him of indoctrinating them. Prosecutors have also presented wiretaps and video images as evidence which, they argue, proves Sharia4Belgium members were involved in terror activities. Mr Belkacem has denied the charges against him. | Some of the witnesses have accused him of indoctrinating them. Prosecutors have also presented wiretaps and video images as evidence which, they argue, proves Sharia4Belgium members were involved in terror activities. Mr Belkacem has denied the charges against him. |
| In an open letter to the press he said that he "never recruited, incited or sent" fighters to Syria. His lawyers have argued that he did not buy anyone flights to Syria or introduce his followers to jihadists. | In an open letter to the press he said that he "never recruited, incited or sent" fighters to Syria. His lawyers have argued that he did not buy anyone flights to Syria or introduce his followers to jihadists. |
| Belgium deployed hundreds of troops last month to protect potential targets of terrorist attacks after a series of raids against suspected jihadists. | Belgium deployed hundreds of troops last month to protect potential targets of terrorist attacks after a series of raids against suspected jihadists. |
| The eastern city of Verviers was the site of one of the raids, where a shootout left two suspects dead. Prosecutors said the group targeted had planned to kill police officers. | The eastern city of Verviers was the site of one of the raids, where a shootout left two suspects dead. Prosecutors said the group targeted had planned to kill police officers. |