Belgium arrests 14-year-old with far-right links for alleged mosque attack plot

BRUSSELS

A 14-year-old child, reportedly influenced by far-right movements, was arrested on Friday in Brussels on suspicion of preparing an attack on a mosque.

Authorities received a tip on Jan. 22 that the child, believed to be affiliated with far-right groups, was planning to carry out an attack on a mosque during Friday prayers, according to a statement by Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office Spokesperson Amaury Verhoustraeten to Anadolu.

Based on the evidence available, an investigation was launched the same day, and a search was conducted at the suspect’s home yesterday morning.

Weapons, as well as other evidence, including a computer, were seized during the search.

The detained suspect has been placed in a "youth protection facility."

Verhoustraeten stated that no further information would be released.

It was revealed that the 14-year-old, of Ukrainian descent, had been planning to target the En Necah Mosque in Molenbeek, a neighborhood in Brussels with a large Arab population.