Federal Prosecutor’s Office says IS incite young recruits to stay and perpetrate attacks in Belgium

The Islamic State terrorist group (IS) “are currently not looking to send youngsters to Syria but for them to stay where they are, to spread death and destruction.”

This is the view of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office spokesman, Eric Van der Sypt, today (Wednesday) in Het Nieuwsblad. He says that this raises “both a new trend and a new IS tactic.”

Mr Van der Sypt goes on in the interview, which also features in La Dernière Heure, “Increasingly ‘radicalism’ cases relate to minors (boys or girls in the 16-17 year old bracket, editor’s note).”

He goes on, “Youngsters are easy to influence and recruiters are all too aware of this.”

Recruitment takes place through social networks, often via the application Telegram.

Van der Sypt further explains, “Youngsters are indoctrinated through this channel and thus prepared, sooner or later, to commit an attack.”

As yet, there has been no concrete intelligence of an attack being perpetrated by these radicalised minors.

Nevertheless, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office indicates that there is a “seriously worrying” trend in this direction.


The author: Margareta STROOT

Margareta Stroot, a multi-talented individual, calls Brussels her home. With a unique blend of careers, she balances her time as a part-time journalist and a part-time real estate agent. Margareta's deep-rooted knowledge of the city of Brussels, where she resides, has proven invaluable in both of her roles. Her journalism captures the essence of the city, while her real estate expertise helps others find their perfect homes in the vibrant Belgian capital.

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