Belgian Prosecutor Files Charges Against Two Individuals and Arrests Three Others

The Belgian federal prosecutor announced on Tuesday, April 24, that charges have been filed against two men in connection with the Brussels attacks, and during a house search, three others were arrested in connection with the Paris attacks. According to Reuters, Belgian judicial officials have charged two men named Smail.F, born in 1984, and Ibrahim.F, born in 1988, for renting an apartment that was used as a safe house before the Brussels attacks. The Belgian federal prosecutor's office added in a statement that after inspecting a house in a southern neighborhood of Brussels, three men were arrested for questioning regarding the November 13 attacks in Paris. The Belgian prosecutor's office did not specify what was found during the house search but stated that a court would decide on the charges and the possibility of filing charges against these three individuals on Wednesday. Ongoing investigations into the Paris and Brussels attacks, for which the group known as the 'Islamic State' has claimed responsibility, indicate a significant connection between the organization and preparation for these attacks. The Belgian prosecutor's office stated on Sunday that based on evidence obtained, they believe that those who carried out the Brussels attacks essentially intended to attack Paris again. Reuters reminds that with the addition of Smail.F and Ibrahim.F, six individuals have been arrested and charged since last week in connection with the Brussels attacks. The Belgian prosecutor's office stated in part of its announcement: 'These individuals are accused of participating in the activities of a terrorist group, terrorist murder, and attempted terrorist murder, and as principal offenders or accomplices of the criminals.' Police raided the house in one of the central neighborhoods of Brussels on Sunday. It was suspected that this house was one of the hideouts of the terrorists and their accomplices, but no weapons or explosives were found during the search. A Belgian newspaper reported that security camera footage shows that the day after the Brussels bombings, one of these individuals entered the house with large bags. The Belgian prosecutor's office did not comment on this report. Last Friday, four other suspects, including Mohammed Abrini, who investigators say confessed to planting a bomb at Brussels airport, and Osama Karim, suspected of buying the bags used by the terrorists, were arrested. Mohammed Abrini was also wanted for the Paris attacks. In this context, the Brussels attackers 'intended to carry out operations again in Paris.' One of the main suspects in the Paris attacks was arrested in Belgium. Belgium is extraditing the architect of the Paris terrorist attacks to France.