Belgium Extends State of Emergency for One Week

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel announced on Monday evening that the security alert level in the capital will remain at its highest level for the next week, although the metro and schools are expected to gradually reopen starting Wednesday. According to the Associated Press, Michel stated that the security alert level in other regions of Belgium will also remain at level 3, which is the second highest alert level in Belgium. However, he mentioned that even at this level of security alert, schools and the underground transport system will gradually resume operations starting Wednesday. On Monday, the underground transport system and educational centers were closed not only in Brussels but also in other major cities in Belgium. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, speaking after a National Security Council meeting, added that his government would do everything possible to bring the situation under control. The security alert in Brussels reached its highest level after a National Security Council meeting on Friday night, and this situation was extended for Monday as well. Another suspect has been charged in connection with the Paris attacks. This announcement of the extension of the security alert comes as news agencies reported that another suspect has been charged with involvement in the Paris attacks. One day after reports from security sources in Belgium indicated the arrest of 16 individuals following police raids in several areas of Brussels, security sources stated that one more person has been identified as a suspect in connection with the bloody Paris attacks. The Associated Press reported that of the 16 arrested on Sunday night in Brussels, 15 have been released, but one unnamed individual has been charged in connection with the Paris attacks. The Belgian federal prosecutor has accused this individual of "participating in the activities of a terrorist group and a terrorist attack." Since the bloody attacks on Friday, November 13, in Paris, this is the fourth suspect that Belgian authorities have charged in connection with these attacks. Three other suspects were charged last week with involvement in the Paris attacks. Additionally, Belgian police arrested five more suspects early Monday during searches of several homes in Brussels and Liège. The BBC reported that two of these individuals have been released, but investigations into the other three detainees are ongoing. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Salah Abdeslam, a Belgian citizen suspected of involvement in the Paris attacks, is not among those arrested.