In Belgium, people from Chechnya were detained as a result of an anti -terrorist operation

Belgium law enforcement agencies conducted a national anti -terrorist operation, as a result of which 16 people from Chechnya were detained. All of them are suspected of extremist activities in the kingdom. The detentions were held on Monday, June 8, simultaneously in three cities of the country: Ostend, Branden and Leveen, the LE Soir local newspaper reports.

The operation was carried out as part of two parallel investigations among radical people from Chechnya. The Federal Police conducted 21 searches in places of residence of the alleged extremists. 10 of them - in the port city of Ostend in the north -west of the country, three in the suburbs - Zhabeke and Branden, two in Antwerp, five in Leven and another - in the capital of the southern region of Wallonia Namura. During searches in Leven, law enforcement officers discovered detailed plans for terrorists to develop upcoming attacks in the country.

According to the source, the kingdom police detained representatives of two terrorist groups that have recently worked on a single plan of terrorist attacks. Communication of extremists took place through a mobile application for transmitting text messages and files "WhatsApp". It is reported that to obtain access to correspondence, the Belgian authorities took advantage of the help of their American colleagues.

Later, journalists of the same publication reported that 14 out of 16 people detained during the operation were released. According to updated data, the investigation came to representatives of two groups of radical Islamists of Chechen origin after observing the Jihadist militants who returned from Syria after injuries. In addition, the Federal Prosecutor's Office denied the initial information about the evidence found, which allegedly proved the preparation of the attack in Belgium. "Searches to the present moment did not bring evidence to confirm the preparation of the terrorist attack in Belgium," the department said.

“I want to note the painstaking work of law enforcement agencies and the judicial system, which again demonstrated the readiness of the authorities to repulse the terrorists. In our country there will never be a place for those who pose a threat to our citizens,” said Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michelle.

The head of the Belgian Ministry of Internal Affairs Jean Zhambon, in turn, promised that law enforcement agencies would attract additional forces and funds to combat extremists. “The fight against the threat of radical extremism was and remains one of our priorities. Therefore, in the near future we expect an increase in the staff and resources of law enforcement agencies to prevent the emergence of radical citizens in our country. These are investments that are extremely necessary,” he assured.

The Belgian authorities carried out a similar anti -terrorist operation in January of this year. Then, in the city of Vervier, as a result of a police raid, three people were killed against the alleged terrorist group.

As reported by The Daily Mail with reference to eyewitnesses, on January 15, police officers in Balaclavas were seen in Vervye, near Liazha, shortly before six in the evening (20:00 in Moscow). According to the Belgian prosecutor, they tried to seize Islamic extremists who returned from the war zone in Syria. Several people were arrested.

One of the witnesses said that at about six in the evening the police began to clean the space, and the shooting was already heard for about seven hours. One of the eyewitnesses indicated that he had heard two strong explosions, which were accompanied by many shots. Another resident of the city said that for 10 minutes he heard the sounds of machine -gun bursts.

According to the TASS agency, which refers to local media, three Islamists have been liquidated at the age of about 20 years. According to Reuters, the police had a warrant for searches of about 10 houses. Potential attackers opened fire on law enforcement officers. The police were not injured. According to the agency, two militants managed to eliminate.

In February, the Israeli special services claimed that hundreds of jihadists who were ready to commit attacks at the same time in 10 European countries penetrated into Europe. According to journalists, Islamic militants also live in France (350), Great Britain (622), Italy (162), Belgium (75), the Netherlands (83), Sweden (125), Denmark (43) and Germany (220). In most cases, we are talking about representatives of the second or third generations of Arab immigrants with legal passports issued in European countries. These are children of those who moved to Europe in search of a better life.